This bill establishes child care grant programs aimed at increasing child care capacity and supporting workforce development in Ohio. It appropriates $10,250,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, with $10,000,000 allocated each year to assist employers in enhancing their child care facilities or partnering with other entities to create child care options. The Department of Children and Youth will administer the grant program, prioritizing applications from employers, government entities, and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a commitment to providing publicly funded child care and participating in the state's quality rating system. Grant recipients can receive up to $750,000, and the program also includes incentives for businesses to expand child care capacity.

Additionally, the bill allocates $250,000 each fiscal year for the establishment of a cohort of child care grant recipients and the creation of an Employer-Based Child Care Co-Design Learning Lab. This initiative aims to provide training and resources for future grant applicants and to facilitate knowledge-sharing among participants. The selected entity will develop tools to assist employers in forming partnerships and securing funding for child care initiatives, with a focus on rural and underserved areas. The Department of Children and Youth will also create a toolkit to educate employers on expanding child care access and applying for relevant tax credits and benefits.