GA SB554

Creates the Georgia Child Care Facilities Program, a competitive grant program for establishing and expanding licensed child care learning centers and family child care learning homes, to be administered by the Department of Early Care and Learning by July 1, 2027.

Prioritizes applicants participating in Georgia's CAPS or Pre-K programs, or those meeting criteria including: location in rural counties (population under 50,000), serving school districts with below-average third grade reading proficiency, providing disability-inclusive environments, or participating in federal nutrition programs.

Grant funds may be used for constructing new facilities, retrofitting or renovating existing facilities to increase capacity, or covering nonrecurring costs to increase utilization of existing licensed capacity.

Recipients must contract to remain operational as licensed child care facilities for at least five consecutive years after receiving grant funds, with potential repayment required if this condition is not met.

Department may reserve up to 25 percent of annual grant funds for administration and technical assistance, which includes support for project development, business operations, and licensing coordination.