CA SCR44

Legislature shall review the regional market rate survey annually in non-implementation years to assess adequacy of rates, access for low-income families, licensed provider supply changes, availability of infant/toddler and special needs care, and regional equity in the child care delivery system.

Requests the State Department of Education include all vested stakeholders in planning and implementation processes for establishing new child care reimbursement rates or rate structures.

Establishes that subsidized child care reimbursement should be based on current regional market rates paid to private providers and should enable comparable access to quality early care across all environments.

Requires child care provider reimbursement rates be updated no less than every two years per federal Health and Human Services requirements and included in California's State Plan.

Acknowledges that the current regional market rate methodology, last approved in 2005, has become outdated due to economic changes and creates access barriers for low-income families seeking quality child care.