CA AB435

Authorizes Contra Costa, Marin, and Sonoma counties to develop individualized child care subsidy plans as pilot projects until January 1, 2023, to address local needs and working family priorities.

Requires county plans to include assessments of local child care goals, development of local policies to eliminate state regulatory barriers, and measurable outcomes for success.

Local policies must prioritize lowest-income families, follow state family fee schedules, and can supersede state law on eligibility criteria, fees, reimbursement rates, and fund efficiency methods.

Plans must be approved by local planning councils and county boards of supervisors, then reviewed and approved by the State Department of Education's Early Education and Support Division within 30 days.

Counties must annually report to the Legislature and state departments demonstrating increased child care enrollment and no reduction in children served compared to pre-implementation levels.