The bill amends the Human Services Code of Pennsylvania to establish a Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program. This program aims to provide annual lump-sum retention and recruitment payments to qualified child care providers, contingent on available funding. The bill introduces a new article, ARTICLE XIII-B, which includes definitions for terms such as "qualified child care provider," "qualified staff member," and "newly hired qualified staff member." It outlines the application process for child care providers to apply for funding, the department's responsibilities in approving applications, and the allocation of funds for retention and recruitment bonuses.

Additionally, the bill specifies that payments made to child care providers must not replace existing funds used for staff wages or benefits and can only be used for retention and recruitment bonuses within the fiscal year they are received. It also includes provisions for monitoring and auditing the financial records of providers receiving payments, as well as requirements for reporting to legislative committees. The department is authorized to recover funds if providers do not comply with the article's provisions or applicable laws. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1854 (Jun 09, 2025): P.L.31, No.21