ID S1374

Creates the Idaho Child Care Program within the Department of Health and Welfare to provide child care subsidies for low-income families who are working, attending accredited education/training programs, or receiving child welfare services

Eligibility requires family income at or below 155% of federal poverty guidelines at application, assets under $1,000,000, and covers children under 13 (or older children with disabilities or under court supervision); families with income between 155-170% FPG at redetermination may receive up to 12 months of graduated phaseout assistance

Requires implementation of a fraud detection and remediation system by July 1, 2027 using predictive analytics and machine learning to monitor attendance, billing, licensing, and provider data across multiple technology platforms

Establishes penalties for intentional program violations including 1-3 year ineligibility for first offense, 2-5 years for second offense, and permanent ineligibility for third offense; authorizes the department to suspend payments, terminate provider agreements, and recover overpayments with interest

Directs the department to select a vendor to create up to 600 licensed child care programs and submit an updated state plan by October 1, 2026; any future expansion of benefits requires legislative approval