87R5955 MM-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1555
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to establishing reimbursement rates for certain
  child-care providers participating in the subsidized child-care
  program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Government Code, is
  amended by amending Section 2308.315 and adding Section 2308.3151
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 2308.315.  REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR CHILD-CARE
  PROVIDERS [CHILD CARE].  In establishing reimbursement rates for
  child-care providers participating in the commission's subsidized
  child-care program, each board shall equalize the amount that
  child-care providers providing care to children in the same
  commission age group receive based on the maximum number of
  children the provider may enroll under the child-to-caregiver
  ratios and group sizes adopted by the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
         Sec. 2308.3151.  REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR TEXAS RISING STAR
  PROGRAM PROVIDERS. (a)  Each board shall establish graduated
  reimbursement rates for child care based on the commission's Texas
  Rising Star Program.
         (b)  The minimum reimbursement rate for a Texas Rising Star
  Program provider must be greater than the maximum rate established
  for a provider who is not a Texas Rising Star Program provider for
  the same category of care. The reimbursement rate must be:
               (1)  at least five percent higher for a provider with a
  two-star rating;
               (2)  at least seven percent higher for a provider with a
  three-star rating; and
               (3)  at least nine percent higher for a provider with a
  four-star rating.
         (c)  The Texas Rising Star Program rate differential
  established in this section shall be funded with federal child-care
  [child care] development funds.
         [(d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a board may not
  reimburse a provider under the reimbursement rates provided by
  Subsection (b) before the date any revisions to rules recommended
  by the Texas Rising Star Program review work group under Section
  2308.321 are adopted by the commission.]
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.