Bill
Bill > HB254
summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Early childhood care and education; Child Care Subsidy Program; income-based eligibility for assistance; development and implementation of phased reduction model. Requires the Department of Education (the Department) to develop and implement a phased reduction model for the Child Care Subsidy Program (the Program) that provides for an assistance phase-out period during which the assistance for which a given family is eligible is incrementally reduced in proportion to the increase in such family's income for the purpose of ensuring that no family receiving child care assistance under the Program experiences a sudden loss in eligibility for assistance as a result of an increase in family income. The bill requires the phased reduction model developed and implemented by the Department to consist of incremental income tiers, with each increase in income tier corresponding to a proportional reduction in the percentage of assistance for which a given family is eligible under the Program. The bill directs the Board of Education to (i) promulgate regulations for the development and implementation of the phased reduction model in accordance with the provisions of the bill and (ii) submit to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services any amendments to the current Child Care and Development Fund Plan for Virginia as are necessary to implement the provisions of the bill.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Department of Education to create and implement a "phased reduction model" for the Child Care Subsidy Program, which helps families pay for childcare. The goal is to prevent families from suddenly losing all childcare assistance if their income increases slightly. Instead, as a family's income goes up, their subsidy will be gradually reduced in steps, with each step corresponding to a small increase in income. This means that even if a family's income rises, they will still receive some assistance, but less than before, allowing them to adjust to the change. The bill also directs the Board of Education to create the specific rules for this model, including how much the subsidy will decrease at each income level (no more than a 10% reduction per step), and to allow families to appeal reductions or make adjustments for special circumstances like having a family member with a disability or facing unexpected financial hardship. Finally, the Department must submit any necessary changes to Virginia's plan for federal childcare funding to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to put these new rules into effect.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Left in Committee Appropriations (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB254 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB254) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098474.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB254/text/HB254 |
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