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REFERENCE TITLE: child care assistance; eligibility; appropriation |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session 2023
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HB 2681 |
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Introduced by Representatives De Los Santos: Aguilar, Austin, Contreras P, Gutierrez, Hernandez L, Hernandez M, Ortiz, Salman, Sandoval, Schwiebert, Stahl Hamilton, Sun, Terech, Travers, Senator Mendez
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An Act
amending title 46, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 46-803.01; appropriating monies; relating to child care services.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 46, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 46-803.01, to read:
46-803.01. Child care assistance; eligibility; adjustment; report; rules
A. The department shall provide child care assistance to eligible families with incomes of four hundred percent or less of the federal poverty level at the time of application. Child care assistance shall cease after a time period specified in rule by the department once the family income exceeds four hundred percent of the federal poverty level.
B. The department may reduce maximum income eligibility levels for child care assistance in order to manage within appropriated and AVAILABLE monies. The department shall notify the joint legislative budget committee of any change in maximum income eligibility levels for child care assistance within fifteen days after implementing the change.
C. The department shall establish criteria for denying, reducing or terminating child care assistance based on whether sufficient monies exist for the assistance.
D. The department shall report on December 31 and June 30 of each year to the joint legislative budget committee the total number of families who applied for child care assistance, families who were denied assistance, the number of children and households served, the legislative districts in which the households reside and the family income level.
E. This section shall be enforced without regard to race, religion, gender, ETHNICITY, national origin, sex or sexual orientation.
F. The director shall adopt rules to implement this section that include requirements for eligible FAMILIES to receive cash assistance.
Sec. 2. Appropriation; department of economic security; child care assistance
The sum of $_____________ is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2023-2024 to the department of economic security for child care assistance.