Summary of Bill S 1926

Bill Number: S 1926

Title: Requires social services districts to maintain a waiting list of families who have applied for child care assistance and data regarding the income of such families

Status: Returned to Senate

Introduced: January 14, 2025

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 1926 aims to enhance the transparency and accessibility of child care assistance programs by requiring social services districts to maintain a waiting list for families applying for such assistance. The bill seeks to collect and report data on the income levels of these families, thereby providing a clearer picture of the demand for child care assistance and the economic circumstances of applicants.

Key Provisions

• Waiting List Requirement: Social services districts must establish and maintain a waiting list for families who have applied for child care assistance. This list will help track the number of families seeking support and the duration of their wait.

• Data Collection: The bill mandates the collection of data regarding the income of families on the waiting list. This data will be crucial for understanding the economic demographics of applicants and for informing policy decisions related to child care assistance.

• Reporting: The bill may include provisions for regular reporting of the waiting list and income data to relevant state authorities, ensuring accountability and oversight.

Impact

• Families Seeking Assistance: The primary beneficiaries of this bill will be families applying for child care assistance. By maintaining a waiting list, the bill aims to provide better visibility into the availability of resources and support for these families.

• Social Services Districts: The bill will require social services districts to implement new administrative processes for maintaining the waiting list and collecting income data. This may involve additional training and resources to ensure compliance.

• Policy Makers: The data collected under this bill will be valuable for lawmakers and policymakers in assessing the effectiveness of current child care assistance programs and identifying areas for improvement.

Legislative Timeline

• January 14, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Committee on Children and Families.
• January 21, 2025: First report calendar.
• January 27, 2025: Advanced to third reading.
• March 19, 2025: Passed in the Senate and delivered to the Assembly.
• May 21, 2025: Passed in the Assembly, substituted for A7145, and returned to the Senate.

Related Bills

This bill is related to several prior-session bills that address child care assistance, including:
- A 7585
- A 2581
- A 7028
- A 3660
- A 10257
- A 5836
- A 6267
- S 6875
- S 7724
- A 7145 (companion bill)

Conclusion

Bill S 1926 represents a significant step toward improving the administration of child care assistance programs by ensuring that families in need are accounted for and that their economic situations are understood. The implementation of a waiting list and income data collection is expected to enhance the effectiveness of child care support services.