SB 1224 — DES; child care; pilot program

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced Version Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a new tri-share child care pilot program within the Department of Economic Security to assist employees with child care costs and appropriates funds for its operation.

• The tri-share child care pilot program is established within the department of economic security to assist qualifying employees with child care costs and increase access to affordable child care.

  This provision creates a new child care pilot program.

• The department of economic security shall designate three regional administrator hubs in this state to administer the tri-share child care pilot program.

  This provision requires the establishment of regional hubs to manage the program.

• The tri-share child care pilot program shall operate on a cost sharing model in which the costs of child care are shared equally among the following: 1. The participating employees. 2. The participating employers. 3. This state through grant monies that are distributed to the regional administrator hubs.

  This provision outlines the funding model for the child care program.

• To be eligible for the tri-share child care pilot program, an employee: 1. Shall be employed by a participating employer. 2. Shall have a household income that is between one hundred sixty-five percent and three hundred twenty-five percent of the federal poverty guidelines. 3. May not be eligible for any other state or federal child care subsidy program.

  This provision establishes eligibility criteria for employees participating in the program.

• On or before December 31, 2028, the department of economic security shall submit a report to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives regarding the tri-share child care pilot program's effectiveness, including data on employee retention and the number of children served.

  This provision mandates reporting on the program's effectiveness.

• The sum of $10,000,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the department of economic security for the purposes of establishing and administering the tri-share child care pilot program.

  This provision provides funding for the new child care program.

• The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.

  This provision ensures that the allocated funds do not lapse.

Action History

1. January 21, 2026

   Senate Second Reading

2. January 20, 2026

   Senate First Reading

Sponsors

• Brian Fernandez · Primary

Subjects