HB 1099 -- Child Care

Sponsor:  Oxford

This bill changes the laws regarding child care.  In its main
provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires the Children's Division within the Department of
Social Services to change the federal poverty level income
eligibility requirements so that persons with:

(a)  Incomes less than 150% of the federal poverty level will
receive full child care assistance;

(b)  Incomes between 150% and 225% of the federal poverty level
will receive child care assistance reduced by the amount of
income in excess of 150% of the level.  If the child has special
needs, this provision will not apply; or

(c)  Incomes greater than 225% of the federal poverty level are
not eligible for child care assistance;

(2)  Requires the department to establish a market payment rate
for child care providers and requires child care providers to be
reimbursed at the seventy-fifth percentile of that market rate;

(3)  Requires the departments of Social Services, Health and
Senior Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Mental
Health to develop a quality rating system for licensed child care
facilities and early childhood, before-school, and after-school
programs by September 1, 2007.  Licensed child care facilities
should be rated by July 1, 2014.  Licensing will be the baseline
rating, with the highest rating being accreditation.  The rating
system will allow an individual to evaluate and select the best
early childhood program, provide accountability information to
policymakers and funders, and provide a guide to achieve quality
outcomes for child care providers.  The Coordinating Board for
Early Childhood within the Children's Services Commission must
develop a tiered rating system of reimbursement for child care
subsidies;

(4)  Establishes the Early Childhood Program Quality Improvement
Grant Fund to administer grants to licensed child care providers
needing assistance for quality improvements to prepare for the
rating evaluation; and

(5)  Requires the departments of Social Services, Health and
Senior Services, and Elementary and Secondary Education to be
responsible for:

(a)  Collecting and distributing information to the public and
child care providers about the rating system and its usefulness;
and

(b)  Posting the ratings on the Internet by January 1, 2009.

The provisions of the bill will expire six years from the
effective date.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am