SB 12-022 Summary

• Creates a two-year pilot program in up to ten Colorado counties to mitigate the "cliff effect" where working parents lose child care assistance when income slightly exceeds eligibility limits, despite wages being insufficient to cover child care costs without assistance.

• Participating counties must continue providing child care assistance for up to two years for families whose income exceeds the county's eligibility limit, with parents paying incrementally increasing shares of child care costs on a scheduled basis.

• Counties are encouraged to form public-private partnerships with nonprofits and businesses to supplement assistance funds and help families transition off the program.

• Each county must collect data on pilot program outcomes; the state department shall compile results and submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by October 1, 2015.

• The pilot program operates from July 1, 2012 through July 1, 2016, with counties required to operate for a minimum of two years and applications due by January 1, 2014; the statute automatically repeals on July 1, 2016.