The bill establishes a new chapter in the General Laws titled "Child Care Assistance Program Copayments," aimed at enhancing the affordability and accessibility of child care for working families in Rhode Island. It mandates the Department of Human Services (DHS) to implement a sliding fee scale for family copayments based on family income and size, ensuring that copayments do not exceed seven percent (7%) of a family's annual income. The bill specifies copayment percentages for families at various income levels relative to the federal poverty level, with families earning at or below 125% of the federal poverty level qualifying for zero copayments.

Additionally, the bill allows DHS to waive copayments, in whole or in part, for families facing specific hardships, including those with children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or having disabilities. It also grants DHS the authority to establish additional categories of copayments for families with incomes above 300% of the federal poverty level, provided that no copayment exceeds the established cap. The legislation requires DHS to periodically review the sliding fee scale to ensure compliance with federal requirements and to assess the affordability of child care for Rhode Island families.