UT SB0214

Creates the Home-based Child Care Capacity Expansion Grant Program with $2,300,000 appropriated from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027, offering grants up to $5,000 to help individuals start or expand home-based child care businesses

Establishes a new registration requirement for home-based child care providers caring for 5-9 qualifying children, with requirements including criminal background checks, 10 hours of annual training, and CPR/first aid certification

Increases the threshold for residential child care licensing from 9 to 11 or more qualifying children, and raises the certification threshold from 8 to 10 or fewer children

Prioritizes grant funding for providers who expand capacity in child care deserts (counties with more than 3 children under 5 per regulated slot), operate during non-traditional hours (before 8 a.m., after 6 p.m., or weekends), or participate in the Child Care Quality System

Requires grant recipients to maintain expanded child care capacity for at least 24 months, obtain a license within 90 days of receiving the award, and return prorated funds if found noncompliant