To provide that, on July 1, 2014, the child care subsidy rates paid to all child care centers shall be increased by five percent if the director of the office of financial management has certified that this increase is economically feasible for the state. Beginning with the 2015-2017 biennium and every two years thereafter, the rates of child care subsidies shall be adjusted for inflation. (Companion: SB 5269).   Official Text and Analysis.

To removes the legislative finding that subsidy amounts do not cover the costs of caring for children; the definition of child care subsidy; the requirement that subsidy rates for child care centers must increase by 5% on July 1,2014 and adjust for inflation beginning with the 2015 biennium upon OFM certification of economic feasibility. The amendment changes the subsidy rate structure from variable to tiered reimbursement and links it to quality indicators.

To require the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to review the subsidy rates currently paid to child care centers whose average daily population includes more than 50 percent of children for whom the center received a state subsidized rate, and recommend whether increases should occur.