Bill > SB0248

This bill establishes the Employer-Based, State-Assisted Child Care Capacity Expansion Program, which aims to increase the availability of high-quality, affordable childcare by repurposing state-owned buildings or properties. The program will create an "Expanded Child Care Opportunity Facility" that employers can lease to provide childcare for their employees and the wider community. A dedicated "Child Care Capacity Expansion Restricted Account" will be established to fund these facilities, receiving money from lease payments and private donations. The bill defines various terms related to childcare, such as "community member" (which includes state employees, National Guard members, and armed forces members residing or working near a facility) and "employer sponsor" (a business leasing a facility). Employers leasing facilities are prioritized if they have a significant number of employees who are parents of young children and propose ways to reduce tuition costs. Leases will require employers to reserve half of the childcare spots for their employees and the other half for community members, and to contract with licensed childcare providers who must achieve specific quality ratings and maintain certain insurance. The state will not be liable for damages resulting from the operation of these facilities, and the program's progress will be reported annually to legislative committees. The bill also includes appropriations for retrofitting a state building into a childcare facility.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0248.html