CT SB01369

Establishes the Workforce Child Care Program and Portal effective July 1, 2025, capping child care costs at 7% of annual household income for eligible working families with children under 13 who are not receiving other child care subsidies.

Imposes a 1.5% payroll tax starting January 1, 2026 on employers with more than 200 employees in Connecticut, with proceeds deposited into the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund.

Creates salary enhancement grants for early childhood education workers, including $20,000 annually for family child care home licensees, $6,000 for full-time assistants, and $3,000 for part-time assistants, plus a $7,500 benefits amount per eligible employee.

Requires development of a centralized online enrollment portal for families to apply for the new program and other existing state/federal child care assistance programs, with children enrolled assigned state student identifiers.

Authorizes fund expenditures for provider grants, capital improvements to child care facilities, professional development scholarships, and retention incentives, with program expansion to before/after-school programs and summer camps permitted after July 1, 2027.