Bill > LD1736

This bill creates a new provision allowing the Office of Child and Family Services to directly contract with child care providers to increase the availability of child care services in Maine. The bill defines a "direct contract" as an agreement between the office and a child care provider to provide specific child care slots. The primary focus is on increasing child care access for vulnerable populations, including children under 3 years old, children with disabilities, and children in underserved geographic areas. The office can also prioritize contracts for additional groups such as homeless children, children in the child welfare system, those needing care during non-traditional hours, and children for whom English is a second language. The office is required to review regional needs assessments to determine contract priorities and can use funding from public or private sources. The bill mandates that the office develop routine technical rules to implement these new contract provisions, with the ultimate goal of stabilizing payment practices for child care providers and expanding child care availability across the state.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1736&snum=132