ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
REVISED
child care; payment rates
Purpose
Requires the Department of
Economic Security (DES) to consider its most current market rate survey when
determining child care assistance’s payment rates, sliding fee scale and
formula.
During the Forty-third Legislature, Second Regular
Session, S.B. 1357 established the child care assistance program through
temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) block grant monies. The child care assistance program provides
cash assistance for child care to eligible families.
During the Forty-fifth Legislature, First Regular
Session, the sliding fee scale and formula for determining child care assistance
was updated to 75 percent of the 1998 market rate survey. According to DES, market rate surveys are
conducted every two years.
S.B. 1264 requires DES to take into account its most
current market rate survey when determining the sliding fee scale and formula
and payment rates for child care assistance.
Since the market rate survey is merely considered and DES can only
allocate money within its budget parameters, there is no discernable fiscal
impact to the state general fund for the provisions of this bill.
Provisions
1. Requires DES to establish a child care assistance sliding fee scale and formula based on six factors including the most current market rate survey.
2. Requires DES, when establishing payment rates, to take into account the most current market rate survey.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Requires DES to consider the survey when establishing rates.
Senate Action
FS 2/6/02 DPA 4-0-2-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 6, 2002