Section 26 EEC Rate Structure and Schedule

The second paragraph of section 2 of chapter 15D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out clause (e) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-

(e) establish and develop a schedule for revising: (1) a rate structure for voucher and contracted payments to early education and care providers that enroll children receiving child care financial assistance, which shall be informed by the cost of providing high-quality early education and care to such children in conformity with federal and state laws, regulations and quality and safety standards and any other relevant factors; and (2) a sliding fee scale for families receiving child care financial assistance, which shall be updated within 1 year of the department expanding income eligibility for the child care financial assistance program under subsection (e) of section 13A, or not less than every 5 years, whichever occurs first, to reflect affordability standards for participating families; provided, however, that recipients of child care financial assistance whose income is not more than 100 per cent of the federal poverty level shall not be charged fees for care; provided further, that the sliding fee scale shall be implemented by applying the scale to the amount that a family's income exceeds 100 per cent of the federal poverty level; provided further, that recipients of child care financial assistance shall not be charged fees for care that exceed 7 per cent of the family's total income; provided further, that prior to the establishment or revision of the rate structure or sliding fee scale, the department shall hold a public hearing under chapter 30A on such establishment or revisions and the board shall approve such establishment or revision; and provided further, that the department shall submit any proposed rate structure or sliding scale fee to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not less than 60 days prior to implementation.