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Bill > HB259
VA HB259
VA HB259Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program; established, sunset.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Early childhood care and education; Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program established; requirements. Establishes the Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program, whereby funds are provided to Child Care Aware of Virginia to work in conjunction with the public and private partners enumerated in the bill in order to expand the supply of licensed home-based child care providers in the Commonwealth, promote the safety of licensed home-based child care providers, and support access to child care for working parents in the Commonwealth, through providing for the award of grants to licensed and unlicensed home-based child care providers in the Commonwealth in accordance with the requirements of the bill. The bill requires Child Care Aware of Virginia to annually collect and make publicly available data on the number of home-based child care providers supported under the Program. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2029.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program, a temporary initiative set to expire on July 1, 2029, designed to increase the number of licensed home-based child care providers in Virginia. The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to both unlicensed providers seeking to meet licensing requirements and licensed providers aiming to maintain compliance and enhance safety and quality. Funds can be used for minor home improvements like fencing or plumbing, educational materials, and other safety-related purchases that address common licensing issues. Child Care Aware of Virginia will administer the program in partnership with various public and private entities, including Ready Region organizations and local governments, to support working parents by expanding child care access. Eligible providers must participate in the Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5) system, and priority will be given to those in qualified opportunity zones, which are economically distressed areas identified by the U.S. Treasury. Child Care Aware of Virginia will also collect and publicly report data on the program's reach, broken down by region and provider licensure status.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
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/HB259 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB259) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096181.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB259/text/HB259 |
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