The proposed bill aims to establish the Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program in West Virginia, which is designed to provide financial assistance to child care workers. The program's primary goal is to enhance the financial stability, well-being, and retention of the child care workforce while ensuring high-quality care for children. The pilot program is set to run until December 31, 2028, with specific reporting and evaluation requirements to assess its effectiveness. By May 1, 2027, the Secretary of the Department of Human Services is required to submit a report detailing participation numbers, subsidy amounts, worker retention data, and participant feedback.

The bill outlines definitions for key terms such as "child care worker," "eligible child care worker," and "subsidy," and mandates the Secretary to create rules for program administration by December 1, 2025. Funding for the program will come from various sources, including legislative appropriations and federal grants, and it is expected to be operational by May 1, 2026. The bill emphasizes the importance of establishing eligibility criteria for applicants and includes provisions for participant feedback and program advertising.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-1101, 49-2-1102, 49-2-1103, 49-2-1104, 49-2-1105, 49-2-1106