FL H1203

Transfers administration of various child care and early learning programs from the Department of Children and Family Services to the Agency for Workforce Innovation, including the school readiness program, Warm-Line services, and market rate reimbursement procedures.

Establishes the Gold Seal Quality Care program within DCFS, allowing child care facilities, large family child care homes, and family day care homes to receive a "Gold Seal" designation if accredited by nationally recognized accrediting associations and meeting specific quality standards.

Creates a prevailing market rate schedule for child care services to be adopted by the Agency for Workforce Innovation, with differentiated rates based on provider type, child age, and service hours, including premium rates for Gold Seal Quality Care providers.

Revises early learning coalition membership requirements and voting privileges, requires coalitions to maintain direct enhancement services at the local level, and changes plan review frequency from annual to every 2 years.

Updates references throughout statute from repealed programs (subsidized child care, prekindergarten early intervention) to the school readiness program and makes conforming changes to child discipline standards and prekindergarten provider eligibility requirements.