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Bill > A3450


NJ A3450

NJ A3450
Requires State provider subsidy payments for child care services to be based on enrollment.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides for the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services to require that subsidy payments issued to child care providers licensed pursuant to P.L.1983, c.492 (C.30:5B-1 et seq.) or a family day care provider registered by a family day care sponsoring organization pursuant to the "Family Day Care Provider Registration Act," P.L.1987, c.27 (C.30:5B-16 et seq.) for child care services be based on enrollment instead of attendance, as currently provided by regulation. The subsidy payments are to be based on the number of children enrolled with providers on October 15 and April 15 of each year. The bill further provides that at no time is a subsidy payment to be based on the number of eligible children who are actually in attendance. Under the bill, "child care services" means those services provided to eligible children, as certified by the Division of Family Development, for which the division receives and administers State and federal funding to provide subsidy payments to licensed child care providers or registered family day care providers. It is critical that the State ensure adequate funding for licensed child care providers and registered family day care providers who serve low-income families, particularly as they face higher operating costs and reduced enrollment due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In order to ensure the continued success of these child care providers, it is the sponsor's intent to provide relief to financially struggling licensed child care providers and registered family day care providers who care for, educate, and support the State's low-income families. By basing subsidy payments issued to licensed child care providers and registered family day care providers on enrollment, rather than attendance, the bill offers a more reliable source of income for these child care providers.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services to base state subsidy payments for child care services on the number of children enrolled with providers, rather than their actual attendance, to provide more stable income for licensed child care providers and registered family day care providers who serve low-income families, especially given the financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These subsidy payments, which are funded by state and federal money for eligible children certified by the Division, will be determined by the enrollment numbers on October 15 and April 15 each year, and the Commissioner of Human Services is directed to seek any necessary state plan amendments or waivers to implement these changes and secure federal funding.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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