HI HB241

Establishes a child care classroom contracts pilot program requiring the Department of Human Services to contract directly with licensed infant/toddler and group child care centers serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years from families eligible for federal child care subsidies

Requires contracts for at least one full classroom at one infant/toddler center and one group child care center in each county, with minimum 12-month contract terms

Excludes child care centers owned or operated by private educational institutions from eligibility to comply with Hawaii State Constitution requirements

Department must monitor seat utilization and may modify or terminate contracts for providers with consistently low utilization

Pilot program launches by July 1, 2026, sunsets June 30, 2028, with annual interim reports due to the legislature and a final report due before the 2029 session