The Ohio Vets-Military Families Childcare Act aims to enhance child care services for veterans and active duty military members by amending section 5104.03 and enacting new sections 5104.55 and 5104.56 of the Revised Code. The bill establishes a veterans and military families child care program, which will provide support in the form of child care vouchers to eligible families. To qualify, families must include a veteran or active duty member, have a caretaker parent who is employed or in education or training, and have an income that does not exceed 450% of the federal poverty line. The program will utilize existing publicly funded child care payment rates, excluding enhanced rates.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Children and Youth to expand participation in the military child care program and other federal child care initiatives specifically for veterans and military families. The existing section 5104.03 is repealed, and the Director of Children and Youth is tasked with certifying the necessary funding for the new program for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The act emphasizes the importance of supporting military families in accessing affordable child care services.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 5104.03