Senate 811

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2025 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 811

By Senator Chapman

[Introduced March 19, 2025; referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding six new sections, designated §49-2-1101, §49-2-1102, §49-2-1103, §49-2-1104, §49-2-1105, and §49-2-1106, relating to creating the Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program; setting forth the purpose; setting forth the duration of the pilot program; setting forth the reporting and evaluation requirements; setting forth definitions; authorizing rulemaking; providing for funding; and setting forth implementation requirements.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 2. STATE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHILDREN.

PART XI. CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PILOT PROGRAM.

§49-2-1101. Child care subsidy pilot program; purpose.

(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program.

(b) The purpose of this section is to establish a pilot program in West Virginia to provide a child care subsidy to child care workers, aimed at improving the financial stability, well-being, and retention of the child care workforce, while supporting high-quality care for children.

§49-2-1102. Duration; reporting; evaluation.

(a) The Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program shall run for an initial period ending on December 31, 2028.

(b) No later than May 1, 2027, the secretary shall prepare and submit a report to the Joint Committee on health, which shall include:

(1) The number of child care workers participating in the program;

(2) The total amount of the subsidy disbursed;

(3) Data on the retention of child care workers in the field during the program period; and

(4) Participant feedback on the impact of the subsidy.

(c) At the conclusion of the initial period, the secretary shall prepare and submit a comprehensive report to the Joint Committee on Health, which shall:

(1) Evaluate the successes, challenges, and outcomes of the Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program; and

(2) Include recommendations on whether the program should be expanded, modified, or discontinued.

§49-2-1103. Definitions.

(a) "Child care worker" means an individual employed in a child care facility or program who is responsible for the direct care, supervision, or education of children.

(b) "Eligible child care worker" means an individual employed as a child care worker who meets the eligibility requirements promulgated by the secretary pursuant to §49-2-1104 of this code.

(c) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Human Services.

(d) "Subsidy" means a financial assistance payment provided to eligible child care workers to help cover the costs of their own child care needs, which shall not be less than 50% nor in excess of 100% of the child care costs.

§49-2-1104. Rulemaking.

(a) The secretary shall promulgate rules regarding the administration, management, and implementation of the Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program by December 1, 2025.

(b) The rules shall provide for:

(1) The eligibility criteria for a child care worker to apply for the subsidy created under this program, including:

(A) The minimum hours per week the child care worker must be providing care; and

(B) The household income level of the child care worker’s household;

(2) An application form for an eligible child care worker to apply for the subsidy;

(3) Criteria for approval of an application;

(4) The administration and management of the subsidy program;

(5) A survey to collect participant feedback;

(6) A means to advertise the program within the state; and

(7) Anything additional deemed necessary by the secretary to effectuate the provisions of this article.

§49-2-1105. Funding.

(a) The Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program shall be funded by appropriations of the Legislature, federal grants, private contributions, gifts, donations, or any other sources.

(b) The Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program shall initially be funded for the period ending December 31, 2028.

§49-2-1106. Implementation.

(a) The secretary shall begin accepting applications for the Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program no later than January 1, 2026.

(b) The Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program shall be fully operational by May 1, 2026.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.