Childcare: alternative payment program.

Existing law, the Child Care and Development Services Act, administered by the State Department of Social Services, requires the department to administer childcare and development programs that offer a full range of services to eligible children from infancy to 13 years of age, inclusive. Existing law requires the department to contract with local contracting agencies for alternative payment programs for childcare services to be provided throughout the state. Existing law then requires alternative payment programs to reimburse childcare providers for providing childcare to eligible children. This bill would, beginning October 1, 2027, authorize alternative payment programs with clear contracts and that are in full compliance with certain requirements to submit written requests to the department for a voluntary temporary transfer of funds. The bill would require the department to acknowledge receipt of the request within 30 calendar days of receiving it. The bill would require the department to provide the contractor with a written decision within 90 calendar days of receiving the request and notify the local childcare planning council in writing if a voluntary temporary transfer request is approved. The bill would authorize the department to implement these provisions by means of all-county letters, childcare bulletins, or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted.