S.B. No. 1555
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]. Each board shall establish and implement
graduated reimbursement rates for child-care providers
participating in the commission's subsidized child-care program
that align the commission's age groupings with the
child-to-caregiver ratios and group sizes adopted by the Health and
Human Services Commission. The graduated rates shall provide the
highest reimbursement rate to child-care providers that provide
care to children in the age group with the lowest
child-to-caregiver ratio. The commission shall supply any
demographic data needed by the board to establish the rates.
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) The commission shall examine and implement strategies
to address the increased costs a Texas Rising Star Program provider
with a four-star or three-star rating would incur to provide care to
infants and toddlers due to low child-to-caregiver ratios for
children in those age groups. [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. Not later than December 1, 2023, each local
workforce development board shall establish the child-care
reimbursement rates required under Section 2308.315, Government
Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1555 passed the Senate on
April 29, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1555 passed the House on
May 5, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 120, Nays 23, one present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor