HB 7: Make certain caregivers eligible for publicly funded child care

The bill aims to make foster caregivers and kinship caregivers eligible for publicly funded child care. This change would allow these caregivers to receive financial assistance for child care while they care for a child placed in their home. The bill also requires the department of children and youth to distribute state and federal funds for publicly funded child care, including appropriations for child care block grants. The department is responsible for administering and coordinating federal and state funding for publicly funded child care, including activities that increase parental choice, improve the quality of child care, and provide comprehensive consumer education to parents. The department must also ensure that federal funds are used to supplement, not supplant, existing funds for publicly funded child care. The bill establishes reimbursement rates for providers of publicly fun…