Senate Bill S1286

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S1286

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to authorizing
the office of children and family services to establish differential
market rates applicable to accredited child care programs


 PURPOSE :
To support quality child care centers through a differential market
rate for accredited child day care centers and family child day care
homes.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
Amends Section 390 of the Social Services Law by adding a new
subdivision 12-a.  The new subdivision 12-a directs OCFS to adopt
regulations establishing differential market rates for child care
programs accredited by the National Association for the Education of
Young Children, the National Association of Family Child Care, or any
other nationally recognized child care accrediting body. Such programs
will receive a reimbursement rate for the provision of services that
is up to 50% higher than the local market rate set forth by the
office.

 EXISTING LAW :
Currently, market rates are set in regulation for each county in New
              

York State for day care centers, family day care, group family day
care, and school-aged child care. The market rates are the fees that
are paid to the providers by the localities, for the children who
qualify for day care subsidies. There is a set rate for all providers,
regardless of any accreditation the provider has received.

 JUSTIFICATION :
National child care accrediting bodies, such as the National
Association for the Education of Young Children set standards of
quality that exceed those set in state regulation.  Accreditation sets
high standards for professional practice and engages programs in a
continuous process of improvement to provide high-quality standards. A
differential market rate for accredited programs would serve as an
incentive to child care programs to become accredited, allow more low
income children to access higher quality child care, and help child
care programs currently accredited afford the higher costs associated
with providing such care.

Child care program accreditation in early childhood and school-aged
care is a recognized and effective strategy to improve children's
learning opportunities. This practice also holds providers accountable
for providing a higher quality of child care.

Currently, the National Association for the Education of Young
Children accredits 296 child care programs in New York State. A
differential market rate will allow these programs to grow, as well as
encourage other programs to seek accreditation.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2007/09: S.3152 - Died in Committee
2005/06: S.1320 - Died in Committee
2003/04: S.1636 - Died in Committee

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
Currently 296 child care programs in New York State are accredited.
Under this legislation they would receive up to 50% higher
reimbursement for each qualified child. The cost to the state depends
on the exact rate set in each county and the number of qualified
children receiving care in these accredited facilities.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
On the 180th day after becoming law.