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Bill

S 4171

Increases Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million in FY2026 annual appropriations act to ensure full funding of child care subsidy program.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Britnee Timberlake

Increases the Work First New Jersey child care subsidy program by $28 million for FY2026 to ensure full funding and continuous access to subsidized child care for eligible families

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Bill Summary · S 4171

Summary of Bill S 4171 (New Jersey, Session 222)

Title

Increases Work First New Jersey Child Care appropriation by $28 million in FY2026 annual appropriations act to ensure full funding of child care subsidy program.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill seeks to boost the state’s funding for the Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) child care subsidy program.
  • Specifically, it provides a $28 million increase to the program’s appropriation for the fiscal year 2026, with the goal of ensuring full funding of the child care subsidies available to eligible families.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Funding Increase: Adds $28 million to the FY2026 appropriation designated for the WFNJ child care subsidy program.
  • Program Coverage: Aims to maintain or achieve full funding of subsidies, preventing gaps in child care assistance for eligible low-income families participating in the WFJ program.
  • Budgetary Action: The increase is statutory within the FY2026 annual appropriations act, tying the additional dollars to the state budget process for that fiscal year.
  • Administrative Considerations: While not explicitly detailed in the bill’s summary, the funding change would likely impact state departments administering WFNJ (e.g., Department of Human Services) in terms of grant disbursement, eligibility processing, and provider payment rates or timing to ensure continuous subsidy availability.

Affected Parties

  • Families Eligible for WFNJ Child Care Subsidies: More reliable access to subsidized child care, reducing the risk of benefit gaps due to underfunding.
  • Child Care Providers: Potentially more timely and accurate reimbursement for services, strengthening the subsidy’s value linkage to providers accepting subsidized clients.
  • State Budget and Administration: Requires allocation within the FY2026 budget, with potential implications for funding priorities and oversight.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date: The increase is tied to the FY2026 annual appropriations act. Effective dates align with the state’s FY2026 budget cycle, subject to passage and signing into law.
  • Legislative Process: As per standard NJ legislative procedures, the bill would move through committees and both chambers before reaching the governor for signature. The sponsor listed is Britnee Timberlake (co-sponsor).

Impact Considerations

  • Access and Stability: By ensuring full funding, families dependent on WFJNJ subsidies should experience greater stability in their ability to secure affordable child care.
  • Fiscal Implications: The $28 million increase represents a material addition to the state budget for child care subsidies, with annualized ongoing implications if designated as ongoing funding rather than a one-time augmentation.
  • Policy Alignment: The bill aligns with workforce development and family support objectives by reducing barriers to employment for caregivers who need reliable child care.

If you would like, I can add a brief comparison to current year funding levels or outline potential oversight and reporting requirements typically associated with increased welfare-related subsidies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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