MD SB857

Prekindergarten Expansion Grants must be used to add new slots for children ages 3-4 and cannot supplant existing child care slots for infants and toddlers

Grant applications must use easy-to-understand terminology with multilingual instructions, be due by February 15, with award/denial notices provided by March 1

The State Department of Education must establish a multiyear grant award process and provide 100% of grant funding to recipients by July 1 each year

Technical assistance on applications and reporting requirements must be provided to multilingual applicants, family child care providers, and small independent providers

A workgroup of child care providers must be convened to explore incentives for growing infant and toddler care slots, with recommendations due to the General Assembly by December 1, 2025