HB 583 Summary

• Establishes a Child Care Accreditation Program within the Department of Human Services' Child Care Assistance Program to support child care providers in obtaining accreditation from national early learning accrediting organizations.

• Provides upfront grant funding to child care providers committed to obtaining accreditation, covering expenses for technical assistance and incidental costs for furniture, equipment, and minor facility renovations required by accrediting organizations.

• Extends accreditation deadlines for existing unaccredited preschool open doors program service providers from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2029 to commence accreditation and from July 1, 2029 to July 1, 2034 to complete accreditation.

• Requires the Department of Human Services to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program status, including number of applicants, expense summaries, and the percentage of service providers who have commenced or completed accreditation.

• Appropriates general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to establish and administer the program, including funding for one full-time equivalent position, with additional funds directed to the child care grant program special fund for provider grants.