SB 429
Child Care Workforce Scholarship Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the Child Care Workforce Scholarship Act, aims to address a shortage of child care workers in West Virginia by providing financial assistance to child care employees through the state’s Child Care Subsidy Program. It offers benefits for the children of eligible employees, regardless of their household income, to make child care jobs more attractive and stable. The bill also allocates $5.2 million in state funds to support the expansion of this program and requires the Department of Human Services to monitor and report on its effectiveness.
Key provisions
- Provides categorical eligibility for full subsidy benefits to child care employees regardless of income.
- Requires employees to work at least 20 hours per week in a licensed child care setting.
- Sets the family co-payment at $0.00 during eligibility.
- Offers eligibility for a 12-month continuous period, renewable annually.
- Directs subsidy payments to child care providers.
- Allocates $5.2 million in state funds for fiscal year 2026.
- Requires the Department of Human Services to submit annual reports on program impact.
- Supports increased classroom capacity and the expansion of new child care programs.
Who is affected
- Child care workers
- Families with young children
- West Virginia Department of Human Services
- Child care providers
- West Virginia residents
Notable changes
- Eliminates income restrictions for subsidy benefits for child care employees.
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