HB 14-1317 Summary

• Establishes income eligibility for child care assistance at 165% of federal poverty level for participants and low-income families, with optional expansion to 85% of state median income for other families.

• Requires state to establish provider reimbursement rates at the 75th percentile of each county's market rate or provider's rate (whichever is lower) by July 1, 2016, with a tiered system providing higher rates for high-quality providers.

• Reduces family copayment burden by capping copayments at 1% of gross monthly income for families at or below 100% of federal poverty level and implementing a tiered reduced copayment structure for high-quality child care.

• Extends eligibility periods and transitions by allowing 12-month eligibility redetermination, providing 90-day notice before termination, and offering 60-day job search protection for parents losing employment.

• Appropriates $9.9 million for fiscal year 2014-15 to expand program access, conduct market rate studies, and upgrade automated tracking systems.