KY SB191

Creates the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-Based Child Care Incentive Pilot Program, to be established by the University of Kentucky by August 1, 2026, and operated from January 1, 2027, through July 31, 2029.

Provides $2,000 one-time payments per child assessed as kindergarten ready to eligible child-care providers (Type I and Type II centers, certified homes, registered providers) or low-income parents who qualify for child-care subsidies.

Requires full payments for children receiving full-time services for two years prior to assessment, half payments for those receiving half-day services combined with public preschool, and allows split payments based on care arrangements.

Mandates the university develop assessment processes for kindergarten readiness, create parent resources, ensure geographic diversity among participants, and evaluate program impact using rigorous causal inference methods.

Requires a report to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Legislative Research Commission by October 1, 2029, detailing findings, recommendations for scaling the program, and all program data for public review.