Bill S. 770 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by introducing Article 13 to Chapter 13, Title 63, which establishes new employment requirements for individuals applying for federally funded Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) benefits. The bill defines key terms such as "applicant," "employment," and "childcare," and sets eligibility criteria for children to receive CCAP. A child qualifies if they live with an applicant who works an average of twenty hours per week or if the applicant is a teen parent attending high school or pursuing a GED. The bill also allows for assistance for a minimum of three months under specific circumstances, including homelessness or job searching, and establishes income eligibility based on family income being less than or equal to eighty-five percent of the state median income.

Additionally, the bill streamlines the CCAP regulations by eliminating the need for a separate application for childcare assistance for families involved in child protective services, and it waives the family copayment for these children. It introduces a transitional period for families who exceed income limits, allowing them to continue receiving assistance for six months post-ineligibility, with childcare providers receiving a portion of the subsidized rate during this time. The bill also details the process for assessing self-employment income and the conditions for eligibility review and recertification, ensuring continued access to childcare assistance as family circumstances evolve. The provisions will take effect upon the Governor's approval.