The bill amends section 5104.30 and enacts section 5104.303 of the Revised Code to expand eligibility for publicly funded child care to include foster caregivers and kinship caregivers. Specifically, it removes the previous provision that limited eligibility to families receiving publicly funded child care as of October 1, 1997, and introduces new criteria that require foster and kinship caregivers to be employed or participating in education or training related to the time their child is receiving care. The bill also stipulates that publicly funded child care can only be provided for children placed with these caregivers and outlines the types of licensed child care providers that can offer such services.

Additionally, the new section 5104.303 specifies that publicly funded child care for foster and kinship caregivers may be provided by various licensed entities, including child care centers, family child care homes, preschool programs, and school child programs. It also allows for care to be provided by border state child care providers under certain conditions. The bill aims to enhance support for foster and kinship caregivers, ensuring they have access to necessary child care resources while fulfilling their caregiving responsibilities.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 5104.30
As Reported By House Committee: 5104.30