87R8188 MCK-D
By: Lopez H.B. No. 1964
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on the cost of providing quality child care in
this state in comparison to family income.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 301, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 301.0701 to read as follows:
Sec. 301.0701. CHILD-CARE STUDY. (a) The commission shall
conduct a study in this state regarding the cost, in comparison to
family income, of providing child care that meets at least the
minimum quality requirements for certification as a three-star
rating provider under the Texas Rising Star Program. The study
must:
(1) examine statewide and for each local workforce
development area the:
(A) trends in the current costs and projections
for future costs of providing quality child care;
(B) costs of providing quality child care in
comparison to family income based on federal poverty guidelines,
state median household incomes, or other relevant income standards;
(C) amount or estimated amount of governmental
money available to support subsidized child care over the periods
used for the data described in Paragraphs (A) and (B) and the number
of children receiving subsidized child care; and
(D) cost of providing quality child care in
comparison to the reimbursement rate for subsidized child care and
the market rate for providing that level of care; and
(2) estimate the number of families eligible to
receive subsidized child care.
(b) In conducting the study under Subsection (a), the
commission shall include the following expenses when calculating
the cost of providing the quality child care described by that
subsection:
(1) the salary and benefits, including insurance, for
the employees of the child-care facility;
(2) the facility's operating costs, including any rent
or mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and building
maintenance;
(3) the costs for computer equipment, software, and
other technology needed to operate the facility;
(4) any costs incurred in obtaining certification
under the Texas Rising Star Program, including any certification or
assessment fees;
(5) the license fees needed to operate the facility;
and
(6) any other expense the commission considers is
necessary to provide the quality child care described by Subsection
(a).
(c) Not later than December 15, 2022, the commission shall
report the results of the study conducted under Subsection (a) to
the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, and each legislative standing committee with
jurisdiction over child-care facilities.
(d) Not later than December 15, 2024, the commission shall
update the study results and provide the update to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and each legislative standing committee with jurisdiction over
child-care facilities.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.