REFERENCE TITLE: appropriation; early childhood; scholarships

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

SB 1610

Introduced by

Senator Gabaldon

AN ACT

Appropriating monies to the Arizona early childhood development and health board.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Appropriations; Arizona early childhood development and health board; quality first scholarships; reports; fiscal years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025

A. The following sums are appropriated in the following fiscal years from the state general fund to the Arizona early childhood development and health board to provide quality first scholarships for eligible families for their child or children ages birth to five years to attend a child care or preschool setting that meets or exceeds the standards of the quality first program:

1. $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2022-2023.

2. $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2023-2024.

3. $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2024-2025.

B. The board shall prioritize the award of quality first scholarships to families who meet all of the following:

1. Have an income of two hundred percent or less of the federal poverty level.

2. Have children ages birth to five years who are enrolled with child care or preschool providers that entered the quality first program after July 1, 2021.

3. Do not receive quality first scholarships through any other funding source.

C. If monies remain after awarding scholarships pursuant to subsection B of this section, the board may award scholarships to families that meet all of the following:

1. Have an income of two hundred percent or less of the federal poverty level.

2. Have children ages birth to five years who are enrolled with other quality first programs that meet or exceed quality standards.

3. Do not receive child care assistance under section 46-803, Arizona Revised Statutes.

D. On or before September 1 in years 2023, 2024 and 2025, the board shall submit to the joint legislative budget committee a report describing the total number of children ages birth to five years who received access to early learning programs through this act during the preceding fiscal year.