HI SB2701

Establishes a one-year child care worker subsidy pilot program administered by the Department of Human Services to retain early childhood care workers.

Pilot program shall serve five percent of child care workers in the State and prioritize workers in rural areas and child care deserts, with participants selected by lottery.

Establishes minimum wage of $17.00 per hour for pilot program participants working in licensed child care centers, registered family child care homes, and licensed group child care centers.

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the pilot program and for the early childhood educator stipend program to be deposited into the early learning special fund.

Requires interim report to legislature by 20 days before 2023 regular session and final report by 20 days before 2024 regular session; pilot program repeals July 1, 2023.