HI HB238

Establishes a Child Care Provider Subsidy and Bonus Program through the Department of Human Services to address workforce shortages in early child care settings

Provides subsidies to licensed infant and toddler child care centers, group child care centers, and group child care homes to increase worker pay to a minimum hourly rate (amount to be determined)

Awards annual bonuses to registered family child care homes (amount to be determined)

Excludes from the program: nonpublic K-12 schools, post-secondary education entities, Department of Education, public charter schools, and University of Hawaii entities

Applicants who misrepresent facts or violate program terms face a five-year ban from applying for department subsidies or bonuses, and the department must submit annual reports to the legislature on program implementation and impacts