S.B. No. 1617 proposes the establishment and regulation of the Child Care Protection and Enhancement Fund within the Texas Labor Code. The bill introduces new sections that define the fund, its administration, and its intended use. The fund is to be managed by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company and is designated for the creation and improvement of state parks, with specific provisions for investment and liquidity management. The Texas Workforce Commission is tasked with requesting annual distributions from the fund, which will be used to increase both capacity and rates for subsidized childcare in Texas.

Additionally, the bill outlines stipulations on the use of the fund, prohibiting expenditures for salaries, employee benefits, or operational costs of the department, and mandates that all expenditures are subject to audit by the state auditor. The department is also required to report on acquisitions funded by the fund in its strategic plans. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, contingent upon the approval of a related constitutional amendment by voters. If the amendment is not approved, the act will have no effect.