SB 191 — AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-Based Child Care Incentive Pilot Program.

UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BRSB 1724191/GA AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-Based Child Care Incentive Pilot Program.

and WHEREAS, providing performance-based incentives would ensure positive growth and improved quality of care for infant and toddler care programs;

Thirteen (13) or more children in a designated space separate from the Page 1 of 5 SB019110.100 - 1724 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:59 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 191/GA primary residence of a licensee;

(c) "Type II child-care center" means a child-care center that is the primary residence of the licensee in which child care is regularly provided for sevenat Pageleast 1seven of(7) 5 XXXX 2/11/2026 5:48 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1724 (7), but not more than twelve (12),(12) childrenchildren, including children related to the licensee;

(2) By August 1, 2026, the university shall establish and operate the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-Based Child Care Incentive Pilot Program, which shall operate from JanuaryAugust 1, 2027, until July 31, 2029.

(d) Ensure that participants in the pilot program represent geographically and socioeconomically diverse areas of the Commonwealth;

(g) Determine how to award fundsfunds, including but not limited to direct payments Page 2 of 5 SB019110.100 - 1724 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:59 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 191/GA or refundable tax credits, to licensed Type I and Type II child-care centers;

and single or married parents who qualify for the child-care subsidy administered by the cabinet pursuant Page 2 of 5 XXXX 2/11/2026 5:48 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1724 to KRS 199.8994.

To be eligible for funds,funds: a group or individual shall:

IfA a provider or a home,home shall maintain services for infants and toddlers at a ratio established by the Division of Child Care within the cabinet;

IfA a provider or a home,home shall maintain and submit accurate and detailed records of care for any child;

IfA aparent parent,shall submit records to verify he or she meets the requirements to receive child care subsidy funds under KRS 199.8994;

and (h) Establish a standard for howawarding to award a two thousand dollar ($2,000) one (1) time paymentaward, including but not limited to direct payments or refundable tax credits, per child once a child is designated by the assessment processes as kindergarten ready as follows:

A full paymentaward to a licensed Type I andor Type II child-care center or cabinet-regulated early childhood education provider, certified child- care home, andor registered provider who meets the requirements of paragraph (g) of this subsection if the kindergarten-ready child received full-time services from the center or provider the two (2) years prior to the assessment;

A full paymentaward to a single or married parent who meets the requirements of paragraph (g) of this subsection if the kindergarten-kindergarten-ready ready child was cared for in the home the two (2) years prior to the assessment, regardless of the utilization of a babysitter;

A full paymentaward to a licensed Type I andor Type II child-care center or cabinet-regulated early childhood education provider, certified child- Page 3 of 5 SB019110.100 - 1724 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:59 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 191/GA care home, andor registered provider who meets the requirements of paragraph (g) of this subsection if the child cannot be properly assessed as a kindergarten-ready child because of a formal diagnosis withof a disability and the child received full-time services from the provider the two (2) years prior to the assessment;

Page 3 of 5 XXXX 2/11/2026 5:48 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1724 4.

A half paymentaward to a licensed Type I andor Type II child-care center or cabinet-regulated early childhood education provider, certified child- care home, andor registered provider who meets the requirements of paragraph (g) of this subsection if the kindergarten-ready child received half-day services from the center and attended public preschool the two (2) years prior to the assessment;

Split paymentsawards may be granted to individuals or entitiesproviders based on who provided full-time services or cared for the child in the two (2) years prior to the assessment.assessment;

(4)and By(i) OctoberEnsure 1,compliance 2029,with thefederal universityregulations, shallincluding submitbut anot reportlimited to the cabinetQuality andRating the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committees on Families and Children,Improvement Education,Systems andas Appropriationsestablished andunder Revenue45 that:C.F.R.

pt.

98.

(4) By January 1, 2030, the university shall submit a report to the cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committees on Families and Children, Education, and Appropriations and Revenue that:

Includes recommendations based on the pilot program's results for optimizing performance-based child care incentives in the Page 4 of 5 SB019110.100 - 1724 - XXXX 3/4/2026 2:59 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SB 191/GA Commonwealth;

and (e) Includes all data generated from the pilot program, which shall be made available for public review and use in accordance with applicable federal, Page 4 of 5 XXXX 2/11/2026 5:48 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1724 state, and institutional review board policies.

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