AZ SB1386

Appropriates $66,600,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2019-2020 to the Department of Economic Security for child care assistance costs to eliminate the current waiting list.

Removes the requirement that the department establish waiting lists and prioritize child care assistance by federal poverty level (former subsection I), allowing assistance to be provided to all eligible families within appropriated funds.

Expands child care assistance eligibility to families with incomes up to 165% of the federal poverty level who are working, in job training, or experiencing crisis situations including domestic violence, homelessness, or medical conditions.

Requires the department to establish criteria for denying, reducing, or terminating assistance, including consideration of parental availability, eligibility changes, failure to cooperate with requirements, and availability of other funded programs.

Maintains existing requirements for case reviews (no more than annually), reporting to the legislature on denied applications based on citizenship/legal residency status, and referrals to child support enforcement and workforce services.