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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on the cost of providing quality child care in |
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this state in comparison to family income. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Labor Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 301.0701 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 301.0701. CHILD-CARE STUDY. (a) The commission shall |
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conduct a study in this state regarding the cost, in comparison to |
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family income, of providing child care that meets at least the |
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minimum quality requirements for certification as a three-star |
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rating provider under the Texas Rising Star Program. The study |
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must: |
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(1) examine statewide and for each local workforce |
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development area the: |
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(A) trends in the current costs and projections |
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for future costs of providing quality child care; |
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(B) costs of providing quality child care in |
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comparison to family income based on federal poverty guidelines, |
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state median household incomes, or other relevant income standards; |
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(C) amount or estimated amount of governmental |
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money available to support subsidized child care over the periods |
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used for the data described in Paragraphs (A) and (B) and the number |
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of children receiving subsidized child care; and |
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(D) cost of providing quality child care in |
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comparison to the reimbursement rate for subsidized child care and |
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the market rate for providing that level of care; and |
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(2) estimate the number of families eligible to |
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receive subsidized child care. |
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(b) In conducting the study under Subsection (a), the |
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commission shall include the following expenses when calculating |
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the cost of providing the quality child care described by that |
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subsection: |
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(1) the salary and benefits, including insurance, for |
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the employees of the child-care facility; |
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(2) the facility's operating costs, including any rent |
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or mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and building |
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maintenance; |
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(3) the costs for computer equipment, software, and |
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other technology needed to operate the facility; |
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(4) any costs incurred in obtaining certification |
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under the Texas Rising Star Program, including any certification or |
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assessment fees; |
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(5) the license fees needed to operate the facility; |
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and |
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(6) any other expense the commission considers is |
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necessary to provide the quality child care described by Subsection |
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(a). |
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(c) Not later than December 15, 2022, the commission shall |
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report the results of the study conducted under Subsection (a) to |
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the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of |
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representatives, and each legislative standing committee with |
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jurisdiction over child-care facilities. |
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(d) Not later than December 15, 2024, the commission shall |
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update the study results and provide the update to the governor, the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and each legislative standing committee with jurisdiction over |
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child-care facilities. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |