MI HB5044

Department of Education must develop infant and toddler child care contracts in conjunction with an implementation team including providers, partners, and parents, funded through federal child care and development block grant requirements.

Contracts must be awarded to high-quality providers in all regions of the state, prioritizing communities where demand for infant and toddler child care exceeds supply.

Contract model must include advance payments, market-rate alignment, quality improvement engagement, increased wages for qualified staff, and attendance requirements for continued payment.

Department must submit annual reports to house and senate appropriation committees detailing the number of participating providers, number of children served, and lessons learned from the infant and toddler contracts.

Act takes effect immediately upon approval on June 23, 2022.