Bill > S301

This bill aims to provide affordable and accessible high-quality early education and care to promote child development and well-being, and support the economy in the Commonwealth. Key provisions include: - Exempting early education and care providers contracting with the Department of Early Education and Care from price limitations set by the Bureau. - Defining key terms like "caregiver," "high needs," "child care financial assistance," and "early education and care provider." - Establishing a rate structure and sliding fee scale for voucher and contracted payments to early education and care providers, with higher rates for non-standard hours. - Requiring the Department to collect data from providers on staffing, pay, tuition, and enrollment. - Expanding the Department's early education and care financial assistance program to provide assistance to all eligible families, with priority for low-income and high-needs families. - Creating an early education and care educator scholarship and loan forgiveness program, and strategies to enhance the workforce pipeline. - Requiring the Department to regularly assess and update the full costs of high-quality early education and care, and develop a career ladder with recommended salaries and benefits. The bill also includes several reporting requirements and timelines for the Department to implement the various provisions.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S301