The proposed bill establishes the Child Care Assistance Program Act in New Mexico, creating a new program within the early childhood education and care department to provide financial assistance for child care services to eligible children. Eligibility criteria for parents or legal guardians include employment, enrollment in educational programs, or experiencing homelessness, with a focus on at-risk children and those with developmental delays or disabilities. The bill also introduces a sliding scale payment schedule for copayments based on household income and establishes a waitlist system if demand exceeds available funding.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws related to the early childhood education and care fund, allowing for increased appropriations with a cap on the fund's total balance. It sets regulations for participating child care facilities, including prohibitions against charging families beyond department rates and requirements for staff training to assist at-risk children. The legislation mandates reporting mechanisms for operational details and suspected child abuse or neglect, while also requiring the department to conduct compliance reviews and provide annual reports on the program's implementation and effectiveness.

Statutes affected:
FC substitute: 9-29A-1
Final Version: 9-29A-1