HB 2449 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 46-805 to establish tiered reimbursement system for child care providers meeting quality standards.

• Requires the Department to allocate at least 33 percent of federal quality set-aside monies each fiscal year for tiered reimbursement payments to child care providers that meet quality standards.

• Defines "quality standard" as national accreditation or state-approved quality indicators recognized by the Department, and "tiered reimbursement" as a system providing higher payments for services meeting higher quality standards.

• Maintains existing provisions allowing the Department to vary payment rates by provider category, child age, geographic area, accreditation level, special needs, and other circumstances.

• Preserves existing sliding fee scale requirements based on family income, size, child support obligations, and household composition.