This bill establishes a new program in Minnesota aimed at assisting families with the costs of child care through the creation of the Great Start Affordability Scholarship program. The program is designed to ensure that no family pays more than seven percent of their annual income for early care and learning services for children from birth to kindergarten entry. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142A.44, subdivision 2, to include additional criteria for families transitioning to the Great Start Scholarships program, specifically adding families with children receiving Great Start Affordability Scholarships alongside those already receiving early learning scholarships or child care assistance.

The bill outlines eligibility requirements for families and children, including income thresholds and conditions for continued scholarship receipt. It also specifies the eligibility criteria for early care and learning programs to accept these scholarships, emphasizing participation in a quality rating and improvement system. The commissioner of children, youth, and families is tasked with establishing application procedures, scholarship amounts, and payment practices, ensuring that families are informed about their eligibility. Additionally, a Great Start Affordability Scholarship account is created to manage the funds allocated for this program, with provisions for administrative costs associated with its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 142A.44