SB1165 - 532R - Senate Fact Sheet

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1165

child care assistance; rates

Purpose

Requires the Department of Economic Security (DES) to annually review and adjust the sliding fee scale and formula for determining child care assistance, and to post the most current payment rates, scale and formula to the DES website.

Background

Currently, DES determines payment rates for child care assistance which are calculated from the published federal poverty guidelines. Payment rates provide for equal access for eligible families to comparable child care services provided to families who are not eligible to receive child care assistance. DES pays different levels of child care assistance according to: 1) the category of child care provider; 2) the age of children; 3) the geographic area; 4) the level of accreditation; 5) varying costs for children with special needs; and 6) other circumstances to meet child care needs. DES establishes a sliding fee scale and formula based several factors including the size of the family, the income and earnings of the family and the number of children receiving child care assistance (A.R.S § 46-805).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Requires DES to annually review and adjust the sliding fee scale and formula for determining child care assistance.

2. Requires DES to post on their website the payment rates and the most current sliding fee scale and formula.

3. Requires DES to notify the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate and the Health Committee of the House of Representatives within 30 days if the federal government decides to no longer calculate and publish the federal poverty guidelines.

4. Exempts calculations performed by DES associated with the adjustment of the sliding fee scale and formula for determining child care assistance from administrative rulemaking requirements.

5. Makes a conforming change.

6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Health and Human Services Committee

· Directs DES to notify the legislature if the federal government ceases calculating and publishing the federal poverty guidelines.

Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives

· Exempts calculations performed by DES associated with the adjustment of the sliding fee scale for child care assistance from rulemaking requirements.