This bill amends section 68-1206 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, to enhance the state's participation in the federal Child Care Subsidy program. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment to pay child care providers based on a child's enrollment or authorized hours rather than attendance. The bill also outlines eligibility criteria for families seeking child care assistance, including income thresholds and transitional assistance provisions, while ensuring that child care providers comply with criminal history checks.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the department will adopt a fixed-rate schedule for child care reimbursement, which may include separate rates for infants and children with special needs, as well as tiered rates based on quality ratings. The changes aim to improve access to child care services for families in need while ensuring that funding for these services comes from designated federal sources rather than state General Funds. The original section 68-1206 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1206