CA AB324

Requires funds allocated to local childcare and development planning councils to address professional support of qualified childcare employees in state-subsidized childcare centers, rather than solely retention efforts.

Allocates funds to alternative payment program agencies to provide professional support stipends to qualified persons working in licensed childcare programs serving subsidized childcare recipients, including family daycare homes.

Requires the State Department of Education to develop guidelines by January 1, 2021 for local childcare councils and alternative payment program agencies to develop unified county plans for expenditure of professional support stipend funds.

Mandates that county plans ensure stipends are distributed across childcare provider types and settings, integrated with Quality Counts California's professional development system, and support providers' higher education attainment and career advancement.

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide annual reports to the Legislature summarizing fund distribution by county and provider type, and describing how funds meet department guidelines.