The bill amends Section 423.190 of H.B. 96 of the 136th General Assembly to revise the Child Care Choice Voucher Program. It establishes that the program will provide financial support in the form of vouchers to families for child care costs, contingent upon available funds. To qualify for the program, families must meet specific criteria, including that the caretaker parent is employed or engaged in education or training, and their income must not exceed four hundred percent of the federal poverty line, an increase from the previous limit of two hundred percent.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that by November 1, 2026, the program must utilize publicly funded child care payment rates as established in the Revised Code, although these rates will not include enhanced payment rates. It also specifies that families using vouchers at type A or licensed type B family child care homes will not be required to have their homes rated through the Step Up to Quality Program. The existing Section 423.190 is repealed to implement these changes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 423.190, H.B, 5104.30