House bill NO. 238

INTRODUCED BY S. Howell, J. Cohenour, A. Buckley, L. Bishop, K. Kortum, M. Caferro, S. O'Brien, J. Lynch, P. Tuss, J. Karlen, Z. Zephyr, M. Romano, L. Smith, E. Matthews

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BEST BEGINNINGS CHILD CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; providing eligibility requirements; requiring a family copayment based on a sliding fee scale; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Best beginnings child care scholarship program. There is a best beginnings child care scholarship program administered by the department. The program is established to provide scholarships to qualified low-income families whose child receives care provided by a licensed child care provider or day-care facility.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Family income eligibility requirements. A family may be eligible for a best beginnings child care scholarship if their family income does not exceed 85% of the state median income. The department shall determine the amount of the child care scholarship based on the income-eligible child's enrollment in child care. Each family shall participate in the cost of the child care by making a copayment based on a sliding-fee scale not to exceed 7% of the family's monthly income.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 and 2] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 52, chapter 2, part 7, and the provisions of Title 52, chapter 2, part 7, apply to [sections 1 and 2].

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.