Bill > SF2759

This bill establishes a new Great Start Affordability Scholarship program aimed at helping families with the cost of early child care and learning. The program will provide scholarships to families with income less than 150 percent of the state median income, with the goal of ensuring no Minnesota family pays more than 7 percent of their annual income for early care and learning. Eligible families can receive scholarships for children from birth to kindergarten entry, with a minimum scholarship amount of $100 per month. To participate, early care and learning programs must be part of the state's quality rating and improvement system. Scholarships will be awarded for 12-month periods and can be renewed, with specific conditions for cancellation, such as moving out of state or not enrolling in an eligible program within three months. The program will begin making payments to eligible programs by July 1, 2026, and will be administered by the commissioner of children, youth, and families. The bill also amends existing statutes to integrate this new scholarship program with other early learning initiatives, with a goal of transitioning various existing child care assistance programs into this new framework by July 1, 2028.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2759&ssn=0&y=2025