NJ A3582

Amends the Child Care Revitalization Act (P.L.2021, c.144) to remove registered family child care homes from eligibility for the $54.5 million Child Care Facilities Improvement Program grants funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars

Restricts facilities improvement grants to only licensed child care centers, with grants distributed on a rolling basis through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

The EDA is developing a separate State-funded facilities improvement grant program specifically for family child care providers, which sponsors believe will have a less burdensome application and compliance process

The current program's first phase provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 for qualifying facilities improvement projects at child care centers licensed before June 4, 2021

Up to 2.5 percent of the appropriated funds may be used by the EDA for administrative costs to operate the grant program