Payments to child care providers, preventing fraud in the child care subsidy program, providing an exemption from rule-making procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

The Wisconsin Works (W-2) program under current law provides work experience and benefits for low-income custodial parents who are at least 18 years old. Also, an individual who is the parent of a child under the age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19, who needs child care services to participate in various education or work activities, and who satisfies other eligibility criteria may receive a child care subsidy for child care services under W-2. This child care subsidy program is called Wisconsin Shares.

Under current law, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) sets the maximum payment rates for child care providers who provide services under Wisconsin Shares and may modify an individual child care provider's payment rate in the following manner on the basis of the child care provider's quality rating under the quality rating system known as Young Star: a provider who receives a one-star rating may be denied payment; a provider who receives a two-star rating may have the maximum payment rate reduced by up to 5 percent; a provider who receives a three-star rating may receive up to the maximum payment rate; a provider who receives a four-star rating may have the maximum payment rate increased by up to 10 percent; and a provider who receives a five-star rating may have the maximum payment rate increased by up to 25 percent. Under the bill, DCF is required to pay an individual child care provider on the basis of the child care provider's quality rating under Young Star, as follows: a provider who receives a one-star rating is denied payment; a provider who receives a two-star rating is paid the maximum payment rate; a provider who receives a three-star rating is paid the maximum payment rate plus 5 percent; a provider who receives a four-star rating is paid the maximum payment rate plus 10 percent; and a provider who receives a five-star rating is paid the maximum payment rate plus 25 percent.

Who's behind it

20 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 20 are Democrats.

9 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DCF