This bill mandates the commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish administrative rules concerning payments for child care providers, the implementation of a child care scholarship presumptive eligibility pilot program, and a study on the child care scholarship application process. Key provisions include streamlining data entry requirements for providers by eliminating the need to report hourly attendance, and implementing a system of prospective payments to child care providers by December 2025. Additionally, the bill introduces a presumptive eligibility pilot program that allows applicants meeting certain screening criteria to receive scholarship funds while their application is processed, with specific timelines and conditions outlined for this eligibility.

The bill also includes a study to evaluate challenges in the child care scholarship application process and aims to improve it by potentially introducing a fast-track application system. Furthermore, it requires training for district office staff on the changes to the child care scholarship program. Notably, the bill repeals the existing RSA 167:83, II(t) related to the presumptive eligibility pilot program, indicating a shift in how these provisions will be managed moving forward. The effective date for the majority of the bill is set for July 1, 2025, while the repeal of the previous provision will take effect on May 2, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 167:83