HB 1959: Child Care Subsidy Program waiting list; target timeline for assigning slots to priority groups.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Department of Education; Child Care Subsidy Program waiting list; additional priority group; target timeline for assigning slots to priority groups. Requires the Department of Education to amend its Child Care Subsidy Program Guidance Manual to add a seventh priority group to the Child Care Subsidy Program waiting list that consists of any family that meets all other Program eligibility criteria and includes a parent who is employed for at least 30 hours per week by a publicly funded child care provider in the Commonwealth that serves children from birth to age five, excluding employment by a local school division but including employment by a Head Start program that is located within a public school building. The bill also directs the Department of Education to require local departments of social services to target a maximum of 30 days for moving priority group families from the waiting list into services; regularly assess, in coordination with the Department of Social Services, the length of time it takes for priority groups to be assigned slots; and provide quarterly updates, beginning October 1, 2025, to the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education on such timeline and any other barriers experienced by families in priority groups on the waiting list in accessing services.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 32

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 17, 2025Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations with letter (12-Y 2-N)
2. February 13, 2025Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
3. February 10, 2025Assigned Education sub: Public Education
4. February 5, 2025Referred to Committee on Education and Health
5. February 5, 2025Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
6. February 4, 2025Read third time and passed House (85-Y 12-N)
7. February 3, 2025Read second time and engrossed
8. January 31, 2025Read first time
9. January 29, 2025Reported from Education (20-Y 2-N)
10. January 22, 2025Subcommittee recommends reporting and referred to Appropriations (7-Y 1-N)
11. January 21, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1959)
12. January 21, 2025Assigned Educ sub: Early Childhood

Showing 12 most recent of 14 actions. Full history