AK HB51

Department of Administration shall approve, administer, and coordinate child care services for state officers' and employees' children, with priority given to state employees and their dependents.

Department may also provide services to children of non-state employees and shall prioritize children under age four and children ages four and older not subject to compulsory school attendance.

Child care programs may be located in state-owned buildings, educational facilities, custodial institutions, and with legislative consent in legislative buildings; privately owned buildings may also be used if convenient to employees' workplaces.

Cost of child care services shall be offset by fees charged to users, with the department authorized to implement sliding fee schedules based on household income.

Service providers must be selected using state procurement code procedures, comply with all state and local child care licensing standards, maintain liability insurance, and assume financial and legal responsibility for program operations; act takes effect July 1, 2011.