Bill > A03174

This bill amends the New York social services law to expand child care assistance by removing current restrictions on child care funding based on a parent or caregiver's work or activity hours. Specifically, the bill requires social services districts to provide child care assistance funded through the block grant (a type of federal funding that gives states flexibility in allocating social services funds) without limiting support strictly to the hours a parent or caregiver is working, training, or engaged in educational activities. Under this legislation, districts would be able to pay for full-time child care assistance regardless of the specific hours of the parent's or caregiver's underlying activity, effectively making child care support more flexible and accessible. The changes aim to provide more comprehensive child care support for families, recognizing that child care needs can vary widely and may not always align perfectly with traditional work or educational schedules. The bill is set to take effect on May 30, 2026, giving social services districts time to prepare for the new, more flexible child care assistance guidelines.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3174