HB 4615 Summary

• Appropriates $5,000,000 in state general fund spending for fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, with $251,012,500 to the Department of Education and $256,012,500 to the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Increases child care provider reimbursement rates by 10% for child care centers, group homes, registered family homes, and licensed exempt providers, effective the first full biweekly pay period of fiscal year 2022-2023.

• Sets child development and care program income eligibility threshold at 200% of federal poverty guidelines, with a requirement to reduce it to 160% and create a waiting list if enrollment exceeds 45,000 children for 3 consecutive months.

• Implements biweekly block reimbursement rate schedules for child care providers with specific hour thresholds (1-30 hours, 31-60 hours, 61-90 hours) while maintaining hourly rates for licensed exempt providers.

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue determinations on child care subsidy applications within 15 days, provide notification of federal program changes within 10 days, and issue annual reports on early childhood comprehensive systems planning funding.

• Repeals sections 1002, 1003, 1007, 1009, 1010, and 1011 of article 3 of 2022 PA 166.