Assembly Bill 317 proposes the establishment of a new program by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide monthly payments to certified child care providers, licensed child care centers, and school board-contracted child care programs. This program is intended to supplement the existing Wisconsin Shares child care payment system. The bill mandates DCF to create rules for the program, including eligibility criteria and payment amounts, and allows for the promulgation of these rules as emergency rules. Funding for the program will come from a new appropriation and federal funds, including child care development funds and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant moneys.

Additionally, the bill repeals certain provisions related to the modification of maximum payment rates for child care providers under Wisconsin Shares based on their YoungStar quality ratings. It amends the funding allocation for child care quality improvement activities, increasing the amount from $16,683,700 to $49,446,300 for each fiscal year. The bill also includes provisions for DCF to investigate and recover overpayments or fraudulent payments made under the new program.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 49.155(1g)(i), 49.155, 49.175(1)(qm), 49.175