Bill
HB 2656
Requires DHS to reimburse CCAP providers for all federal holidays, overriding other laws, applying to contracts and vouchers, boosting provider payments and program costs.
Summary
- Sponsor: Rep. La Shawn K. Ford; Cosponsor added: Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
- Subject: Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code (Section 9A-11) to require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to treat all federal holidays as paid days eligible for reimbursement to child care providers under the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
- Status highlights: Introduced Feb. 6, 2025; first reading Feb. 6; assigned to Rules Committee; co-sponsor added Mar. 11; re-referred under Rule 19(a) Mar. 21.
Purpose and intent
- To ensure child care providers who participate in CCAP receive reimbursement for days that fall on federal holidays, preventing income loss to providers and maintaining care availability/continuity for families served under CCAP.
Key provisions
- Amends 305 ILCS 5/9A-11 to add a clear, overriding requirement that:
- “Notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary,” DHS shall include all federal holidays as paid days eligible for reimbursement under any purchase-of-service contract or voucher payment agreement DHS enters into, renews, or extends with CCAP providers.
- The requirement applies on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act.
- Applies to both contract-based providers (purchase-of-service) and voucher/authorization-based payments under CCAP.
Who is affected
- Department of Human Services: must implement the reimbursement requirement in contracts, renewals, and voucher agreements.
- CCAP-participating child care providers: eligible to receive reimbursement for federal holidays (e.g., New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.).
- Families served by CCAP: more stable provider networks and potentially fewer disruptions in provider availability.
- State budget/appropriations: DHS and budget officials, because reimbursing additional paid days may increase program expenditures.
Implementation & fiscal considerations
- Effective upon enactment—applies to contracts and vouchers entered, renewed, or extended on/after that date.
- The bill removes conflicts with existing rules/laws by using “notwithstanding” language.
- Fiscal impact: likely increases CCAP expenditures to cover holiday payments; the magnitude depends on contract structures, number of providers, and whether current contracts already account for holiday pay. DHS would need to adjust contract language and possibly seek additional appropriations or reallocate funds.
Notes
- The amendment is narrowly targeted to reimbursement treatment of federal holidays within CCAP; it does not change other eligibility, payment rates, or program rules beyond the holiday reimbursement requirement.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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