HB 631

This bill requires the governor's office of faith-based and community initiatives to establish a grant program for the purpose of supporting and funding nonprofit and faith-based child care programs f or children four and younger. Subject to appropriations, at least 1/3 of funds appropriated to the office each year must be allocated and disbursed as grants. In order to qualify and receive grant funds, a nonprofit or faith-based child care program must (i) b e licensed and qualified as a child care agency; ( ii ) b e in good standing with the department of human services; and ( iii ) o perate on an income-based pricing model in which a family is charged not more than 7% of their household income for child care. This bill requires p riority for grants to be given to applicants located in a child care deser t, which means a census tract where there are more than 50 children younger than five and the tract either does not contain a licensed child care agency or ha s a ratio of at least three children in such age group per licensed child care agency slot. The executive director of the office must oversee the grant application process and program. Not later than March 1 annually, the executive director must report t o the general assembly and the office of legislative budget analysis on the availability of grant funds and the use and recipients of such funds disbursed in accordance with this bill .