AB 2626 Summary

• Changes income eligibility threshold for child care services from 70% to 85% of state median income for both initial and ongoing eligibility, effective July 1, 2019.

• Deletes the 6-month service requirement exception for families establishing eligibility based on seeking employment; all eligible families now receive services for a minimum of 12 months before recertification.

• Redefines 3- and 4-year-old children for state preschool enrollment to those with birthdays on or before December 1 (instead of September 1) of the fiscal year, and permits children turning 3 after December 1 to enroll on or after their birthday.

• Removes the requirement that at least one-half of children enrolled at a preschool site be 4-year-olds.

• Authorizes center-based child care agencies to schedule up to 2 days of staff training per contract period using state reimbursement funding on topics including emergency procedures, licensing regulations, child abuse recognition, and behavior management.

• Allows the department to arrange fund transfers between state preschool and general child care contracts for the same agency and to implement these provisions through written guidance without formal rulemaking.