HB 18-1335 Summary

• State Department must conduct annual market rate studies for child care provider reimbursement rates by county, accounting for quality of care, age group, and type of care, with reports due to Joint Budget Committee by January 2 each year.

• Beginning fiscal year 2018-19, state establishes county block grants for Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) based on each county's percentage of eligible children times the appropriate state-determined reimbursement rate for that county.

• Increases income eligibility threshold from 165% to 185% of federal poverty level for CCCAP participation, with state board authority to adjust percentages by rule if necessary for federal compliance.

• Counties must set income denial levels higher than initial eligibility levels and provide at least 90-day transition periods (encouraged to extend to 6 months) for families losing eligibility due to income increases.

• Establishes new eligibility protections including continued coverage during maternity leave, job loss periods under 90 days, temporary activity breaks, and extends eligibility to parents in postsecondary education or workforce training programs for at least two years.