HB 685 Summary

• Amends eligibility determination procedures for publicly funded child care in Ohio, requiring county departments to make determinations within 30 calendar days of receiving a completed application.

• Changes the maximum income eligibility limit from "not less than 200 percent nor exceed 250 percent" to "neither be less than 200 percent nor exceed 300 percent" of the federal poverty line.

• Allows applicants to receive child care while eligibility is being determined, but limits this to once per 12-month period; providers receive payment for up to 5 days if applicant is determined ineligible.

• Permits eligible families with eligible children to continue receiving child care for up to 13 weeks after caretaker parent no longer meets employment/education requirements, and allows continued care if a child ages out during the 12-month eligibility period.

• Modifies transitional child care eligibility for families leaving the Ohio Works First program, raising the income threshold from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty line.