Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Expands eligibility requirements of States child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the States child care assistance program and supplementing chapter 5B of Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services shall expand the work, school, and training eligibility requirements of the States child care assistance program to include that an applicant who is a full-time graduate and post-graduate student shall be eligible to participate in the program, provided that the applicant meets all other eligible criteria regarding income, assets, and residency.
b. As used in this section:
Full-time graduate and post-graduate student means an individual that has been accepted to pursue a course of graduate or post-graduate study at a public or private institution of higher education and are enrolled as graduate or post-graduate students in good standing at that institution.
2. The Department of Human Services shall apply for such State plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to secure federal financial participation for State expenditures under the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
3. The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Division of Family Development (the division) in the Department of Human Services to expand the work, school, and training eligibility requirements of the States child care assistance program to include that an applicant who is a full-time graduate and post-graduate student is eligible to participate in the program, if the applicant meets all other eligible criteria regarding income, assets, and residency.
As used in the bill, full-time graduate and post-graduate student means an individual that has been accepted to pursue a course of graduate or post-graduate study at a public or private institution of higher education and are enrolled full-time as graduate or post-graduate students in good standing at that institution.
The bill also requires the Department of Human Services to apply for State plan amendments or waivers necessary to secure federal financial participation for State expenditures under the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
Currently, the eligibility requirements of the States child care assistance program include full-time students, enrolled at a college or university as part of a two-year associates or four-year baccalaureate degree program, with the goal to achieve a degree or credentials to gain employment, who qualify for financial assistance under the program.
This bill requires the division to expand the eligibility requirements of the States child care assistance program to also include full-time graduate and post-graduate students who are enrolled and are in good standing at public or private institutions of higher education and qualify for financial assistance under the program.