HF3693 Summary

• Commissioner of human services shall establish a competitive grant program awarding grants to counties or tribes to expand access to licensed child care for children with disabilities, with at least one grantee from the seven-county metropolitan area and one from outside the area.

• Grant recipients must partner with 2-5 child care providers and may use funds for facility modifications, accessibility upgrades, equipment, training, medical services, nursing, behavioral supports, and staff to serve children with disabilities in inclusive settings.

• Commissioner shall develop a request for proposals, establish data collection procedures, convene a working group of recipients and providers, and report by November 1, 2023 to legislative committees with recommendations for statewide implementation.

• Grant recipients must pursue alternative funding sources such as Medicaid and private insurance, minimize family financial obligations, and report every six months on support costs, funding sources, and processes for identifying eligible children.

• $250,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2021, with base appropriations of $250,000 each for fiscal years 2022 and 2023; commissioner may use up to 7 percent for administration; this is not an ongoing appropriation and expires June 30, 2023.