AB 1480 Summary

• Converts Child Care Facilities Revolving Fund from lease payments to loan repayment model, with loans repaid within 10 years, and redirects Budget Act of 2014 augmentations toward loans for health and safety improvements or new relocatable facilities for California state preschool programs.

• Changes regional market rate ceilings for CalWORKs child care services effective January 1, 2015, to the greater of either the 85th percentile of 2009 market rates reduced by 10.11% or the 85th percentile of 2005 rates, replacing the previous 9% reduction.

• Clarifies reserve fund balance limits for child development contractors (5% cap) and California state preschool program agencies (15% cap, with 10% designated for professional development).

• Modifies independent study course funding to cap average daily attendance claims at 10% of a school district's total attendance, with excess attendance reduced by the statewide average absence rate.

• Allocates $15 million from the 2014 Budget Act for professional development stipends administered by local planning councils, prioritizing transitional kindergarten teachers completing 24 units in early childhood education or child development.