OH HB782

Creates the At-Home Infant Care Program within the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, providing financial assistance to eligible caretaker parents to stay home full-time and care for children under two years of age

Eligibility requires the caretaker parent to be at least 18 years old (or younger with a high school diploma), and family income must meet thresholds established for the publicly funded child care program

Financial assistance equals 90% of the maximum amount a family would receive under the publicly funded child care program for full-time care at a licensed Type B family child care home not participating in the Step Up to Quality program

Payments received under the program are exempt from Ohio state income tax and, to the extent permitted under federal law, excluded from consideration when applying for other state assistance programs

Directs the Director of Children and Youth to certify start-up funding needs for fiscal year 2027 on or after July 1, 2026, with that amount appropriated for public awareness, application processing, and eligibility determination costs