Bill No.: HB0095                  Drafter:  JWL

LSO No.:  07LSO-0298              Effective Date:  7/1/2007

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0103

Chapter No.:

Prime Sponsor:     Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee

Catch Title:       Quality child care.

Subject:  Implements quality improvement programs for child care.

Summary/Major Elements:  This act makes several amendments to the quality child care program enacted by the 2006 Legislature, including:

· Revises declaration of purpose of the quality child care system;

· Authorizes the Department of Family Services to adopt rules and regulations for educational and staff development grants to child caring facilities, with the following conditions:

o Training recipients' written agreement to work in a Wyoming child caring facility for a specified period as established in department rules;

o An in-cash cost sharing from the facility of at least ten percent.

· Provides for the Department of Family Services to provide technical assistance to child caring facilities for quality operational improvements and business management services, and for the Department of Health to contract for voluntary family strengthening educational programs.

· Repeals sections of the law creating a child care quality rating system and quality incentive payments.

Comments:

· Report required annually from the Department of Workforce Services to the Joint Education, Labor and Appropriations Committees regarding the status and effectiveness of the quality child care system, interdepartmental collaboration, expenditures and recommendations for changes.