The proposed bill establishes the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program in West Virginia, aimed at supporting families by incentivizing employers to contribute to their employees' child care costs. The Department of Human Services will oversee the program, which includes creating standardized contracts, processing applications, and managing funds. A new fund, the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program Fund, will be created to consist of appropriated funds, contributions, and grants, providing state matches to employers based on their contributions towards eligible child care costs. The bill outlines eligibility criteria, specifies that state matches will vary based on household income, and mandates a portion of the fund be allocated to small businesses.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for employer and child-care center responsibilities regarding notifications and contributions. Employers must reimburse the department for any unnecessary state match if they fail to notify about contributions, while child-care centers must inform the department of any missing contributions within five business days, which could lead to a temporary halt in state match funding. The bill also details contract termination conditions, allowing for termination by any party with a two-week notice, and authorizes collaboration between the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Human Services to integrate the program into economic development agreements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-12-101, 49-12-102, 49-12-103, 49-12-104, 49-12-105, 49-12-106, 49-12-107, 49-12-108