Substitute Senate Bill No. 5 (Public Act No. 24-74)

• Expands child care subsidy program eligibility to include parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in Medicaid, effective July 1, 2024.

• Establishes a working group to study and make recommendations on indoor air quality in school buildings, including humidity ranges, emergency closure conditions, HVAC system standards, and inspection protocols.

• Requires school districts to conduct uniform inspections and evaluations of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in all schools between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2031, with at least 20% of schools inspected annually and subsequent inspections every five years thereafter.

• Extends the wholesome school meals pilot program providing $150,000 annual grants to alliance districts to embed professional chefs, with program running through June 30, 2027 instead of 2026.

• Modifies the Danbury and Norwalk voluntary school enrollment pilot program to begin July 1, 2024 (instead of 2022) and allows reciprocal enrollment of students from receiving districts into Norwalk schools.