Signed by Governor Ned Lamont

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes requirements for new programs of the Office of Early Childhood, and for child care providers in Connecticut.

Highlights:

• Requires the Office of Early Childhood to establish an electronic portal to provide information about the availability of slots in early childhood programs in the state, and to make the portal available via both a mobile app and the Office’s website by July 1, 2028 (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Office to implement a prospective payment system for the child care subsidy program by July 1, 2027 (Sec. 2).

• Requires child care providers to inform the Office of their business entity type, and the names of all officers, directors, and owners of the provider (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Commissioner of Early Childhood to share data with the Children’s Funding Project for the creation of a fiscal map showing all state funding and spending for children (Sec. 4).

• Requires the Office of Early Childhood, in collaboration with the Insurance Department and the Attorney General, to conduct a joint study on the prevalence, appropriateness, and affordability of liability insurance for child care centers and family child care homes (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Office, in consultation with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, to develop a report on background checks for early childhood educators, focused on their speed and efficiency (Sec. 6). 

• Authorizes the Commissioner of Early Childhood to issue up to 30 endorsements per year, until June 30, 2029, for large family child care homes that were licensed prior to June 30, 2025, which permits the licensee to operate a care home in accordance with regulations based on the number of children (Sec. 7).

• Requires the Commissioners of Early Childhood and Social Services to develop and administer a one-year pilot program to disseminate information concerning child care services, early intervention programs, and financial assistance programs for expectant mothers receiving prenatal care (Sec. 8).

• Specifies that the Commissioner of Early Childhood must select three hospitals and two providers of obstetric services for participation in the pilot program, with preference given to those which serve a high proportion of low-income families (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text