Bill > S1419

This bill establishes the Idaho Child Care Program, which will be administered by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to assist low-income families with child care costs while parents are working or participating in education or training. The program defines terms like "child care," "eligible child," and "provider," and sets eligibility requirements for parents based on employment or educational activities, with specific rules for two-parent and one-parent households, and limitations on online classes and postbaccalaureate studies. Families applying must meet asset limits and income thresholds based on Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) and State Median Income (SMI), with provisions for a graduated phase-out of assistance for those whose income slightly exceeds initial limits. The department can create a waiting list, prioritizing certain vulnerable families, and providers must enter into agreements, maintain specific records, and are subject to unannounced facility inspections. The bill also outlines measures to ensure program integrity, including the authority to suspend payments and investigate potential violations, with defined consequences for intentional program violations, such as temporary or permanent ineligibility for families and providers. The Attorney General is granted concurrent authority to prosecute criminal violations related to the program, and the department must obtain legislative approval for any state plan amendments that expand benefits or increase state costs. Additionally, the bill mandates the department to research and report on program integrity tools, consolidate administrative rules, and prioritize capacity-building funds for specific populations and providers, while also clarifying that the program does not create an entitlement to assistance.

Health and Social Services, Justice

State Affairs Committee (Senate)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/S1419/