The bill amends the Human Services Code of Pennsylvania to establish a new 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 definitions for key terms such as "child care center," "children's institution," "family child care home," and "qualified child care provider," among others. It outlines the application process for providers seeking funding, the department's responsibilities in approving applications, and the allocation of funds for retention and recruitment bonuses for qualified staff members.

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 includes provisions for monitoring and auditing the financial records of providers, as well as requirements for reporting to legislative committees. The department is also empowered to recover funds if providers fail to 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