Public Act No. 19-121 Summary

• Establishes child care subsidy program for families with working parents or those receiving temporary family assistance, covering children under 13 or under 19 with special needs.

• Sets income eligibility at 50% of state median income, allowing commissioner to increase up to 75% or maximum federal limit, with priority given to temporary family assistance recipients, teen parents, and low-income working families.

• Requires comprehensive background checks for child care providers and staff at least every five years in accordance with federal regulations (45 CFR 98.43).

• Allows child care centers, group homes, and family child care homes to provide services to foster children for up to 45 days without full immunization and physical exam compliance.

• Modifies school readiness program grant eligibility periods from five years to three years for priority school areas and lower-wealth towns, and changes reporting deadline from July to January.