Senate Bill S6143

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6143

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to reimbursement
for child care absences

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill will ensure child care providers receive reimbursement
adequate to maintain a stable business.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one would require that local social services districts make
payments to providers for at least 12 absences in a 6 month period.
OCFS would define the maximum number of absences allowed for reimburse-
ment, which would not be less than 24 absences in a 6 month period,
unless extenuating circumstances exist.

Section three of the bill would set an effective date of the first of
              

April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Local social services districts can opt to withhold a portion of subsidy
reimbursement from a provider for days in which a child is absent from
care. While state regulations allow up to 12 days in absences for each
child in any one calendar month, most if not all of these counties
choose not to pay providers when children do not attend. This creates
fiscal uncertainty for many providers, leading to difficulty with staff
retention and optimal quality care.  Therefore, this bill would require
local social services districts to pay for at least 6 absences in order
to maintain stability among child care programs.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A5381A - 2011-12

A8926 - 2013-14

2017-18: S.5448 Referred to Children and Families

S3192 - 2019-20

2021-22: S.5085/A.5017

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.