House Bill No. introduced by K. Sullivan establishes the Early Childhood Education and Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program aimed at creating new or expanding existing child care programs in Montana. The bill recognizes the critical shortage of licensed child care facilities, which currently meet only 44% of demand, particularly in rural areas. It proposes to allocate up to $10 million in one-time grants for capital expenses related to the construction and renovation of early childhood education and child care facilities. The Department of Commerce will administer the grant program, which includes specific application and funding requirements, prioritizing projects that address the most pressing child care needs.

The bill outlines various definitions related to child care facilities and establishes an early childhood education and child care infrastructure account within the state special revenue fund. It specifies that grant recipients must document matching funds for larger grants, adhere to design standards, and submit regular progress reports. Additionally, the bill excludes certain environmental requirements from Title 75 for the projects funded under this act. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2031, with a notification requirement to tribal governments in Montana.