The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 710, seeks to amend the Wisconsin Shares program to allow child care subsidies to be provided to tribal-regulated child care providers. Currently, Wisconsin Shares payments are limited to providers licensed or certified by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or those contracted by school boards. The bill introduces a new category of eligible child care providers that operate in Indian country under the authority of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in Wisconsin, provided they have an agreement with DCF and meet specific requirements.

Key changes in the bill include the amendment of existing definitions and the creation of a new definition for child care providers that operate under tribal authority. Specifically, the bill deletes the previous language that limited the definition of child care providers and inserts a broader definition that includes those operating under tribal regulations. Additionally, it specifies that eligible providers must attest to meeting federal and state requirements for receiving payments from the Child Care and Development Fund. This legislation aims to expand access to child care subsidies for low-income families in tribal areas, thereby enhancing support for tribal communities.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 49.155(1)(ag), 49.155, 49.155(4)(a)