Bill
Bill > S2593
NJ S2593
NJ S2593Prohibits DHS from deeming certain teachers and school employees ineligible for child care subsidies due to number of hours worked when school is not in session for students.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits the Department of Human Services (DHS) from deeming certain teachers and school employees ineligible for child care subsidies due to number of hours worked when school is not in session for students. The Division of Family Development in the DHS administers the State's child care subsidy program, which provides low-and moderate-income working parents with subsidies for child care, including preschool instruction, after-school programs for children up to age 13, and care for children and teens with special needs. In order to be eligible for the program, a parent must be a New Jersey resident, work a minimum of 30 hours per week or be enrolled in a school or training program for a minimum of 20 hours, and meet certain income requirements. This eligibility criteria regarding number of weekly hours worked is challenging for teachers and school employees, who are otherwise eligible for subsidies, but who are not employed 30 hours or more a week during certain times of the year when schools are not in session for students. Currently, a teacher or other school employee, deemed eligible for subsidies initially, may be determined ineligible during the redetermination process due to non-compliance with the weekly work requirement. This bill mandates that an applicant or participant in the State' s child care subsidy program who is a teacher or other school employee is not to be determined ineligible for subsidies due to number of hours worked during weeks that fall outside of the school year. As used in the bill, "school year" means the part of the year in which a school or school district is in session for students. Moreover, a teacher or other school employee who qualifies for subsidies under the bill are not required to report to the DHS changes in the number of hours worked during weeks that fall outside of the school year, but are required to participate in any redetermination process required by the commissioner of all participants.
AI Summary
This bill ensures that teachers and other school employees in New Jersey are not disqualified from receiving child care subsidies simply because their work hours decrease during periods when school is not in session for students, such as summer or winter breaks. The Department of Human Services (DHS), through its Division of Family Development, administers a program that helps low- and moderate-income working parents afford child care, including preschool and after-school programs. Eligibility typically requires working at least 30 hours per week, a standard that can be difficult for school staff to meet during school holidays. This legislation amends the existing law to prevent the DHS from deeming these school employees ineligible based on their work hours during weeks outside the "school year," which is defined as the time when students are attending classes. Furthermore, these employees will not be required to report these temporary hour reductions to the DHS, though they must still participate in the program's regular redetermination process.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2593 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3000/2593_I1.HTM |
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