Early care and education.
What changed between versions
Preschool eligibility expanded to include children of parents or guardians employed by local educational agencies (both part-day and full-day) and children whose families participate in CalWORKs program activities (full-day only). Priority sequence revised to include LEA employees.
The 24-month stability period (prohibiting families from being required to report income changes) now explicitly covers transfers between state preschool programs and voluntary disenrollment. Ongoing income eligibility is defined as initial eligibility remaining in effect regardless of income increases.
Exemption from mandated reporter training for persons with limited English proficiency (when training not available in their primary language) is deleted.
Definition of 'attendance' for reimbursement purposes expanded to include excused absences for medical and educational appointments, and days a child is not in attendance during an appeal process regarding expulsion or suspension under Section 8489.1.
Cost-of-living adjustment for state preschool reimbursement rates suspended for FY 2026-27. A portion of appropriated funds redirected to the State Department of Education to provide a once-per-month, per-child-served cost of care plus rate for state preschool providers starting July 1, 2026.
Cost-of-living adjustment for childcare and development programs suspended for FY 2026-27, except resource and referral programs and local planning councils which receive a 2.009% adjustment. Market rate survey frequency changed from every 2 years to every 3 years.
Up to 15% of slot expansion award funding may be set aside starting July 1, 2027 for minor repairs, infrastructure upgrades, and readiness activities. Department authorized to transfer funds across and within childcare programs with annual legislative reporting by October 1.
New disaster-related infrastructure grant program for childcare facilities impacted by state or federally declared disasters. $25,674,000 appropriated from the Federal Trust Fund to the State Department of Social Services for disaster relief related to 2023 and 2024 disasters, available for encumbrance until September 30, 2029.
Family fee collection shifted: by January 1, 2027, contractors must reimburse providers the full certificate or voucher amount without deducting family fees, and collect family fees separately. Fee exemption for families changed from 'up to 12 months' to 'up to one certification period.'
Childcare licensing: medication administration expanded from inhaled medications to all medications (must include medication name in written instructions). Anaphylactic policy changed from optional to mandatory compliance. Family daycare home temporary absence limit changed from 20% of hours per day to 20% per month with waiver authority.
New requirements for family daycare homes: substitute adults must have criminal record clearance, complete health and safety training, and be immunized before initial presence. Prior written notice of temporary absence required to parents (next business day in emergencies). Written report to department required for each temporary absence by next business day.
Health and safety training requirement expanded from at least one director or teacher per facility to ALL staff providing childcare, all family daycare home licensees, and all substitute adults. Added requirement for 12 hours of continuing education annually covering topics including emergency and disaster preparedness.
Disaster plan renamed 'emergency and disaster plan' with specified required components including evacuation procedures, contact lists, and reunification procedures. Training on the plan required for all staff and volunteers, annual review required, and specific information (roster, keys) must be readily available during emergencies. Compliance required by January 1, 2027.
Fraud and program integrity provisions strengthened: best practices must be adopted in contractor policies, contractors must terminate eligibility upon substantiated fraud that invalidates certification, department authorized to enter agreements with county welfare departments for fraud investigation, and authority to clarify fund recovery and sanction processes under the CCDF state plan.
Enrollment boundary for state preschool programs expanded: providers within attendance boundaries of a school district (not just certain public schools) where at least 80% of pupils are eligible for free/reduced-price meals, foster youth, or English learners may fill remaining spots with families who either reside within OR have a parent/guardian employed within the boundary.
Staff training days for state preschool providers increased from 2 to 5 per contract period. CalWORKs childcare data access expanded beginning January 1, 2028 (or SAWS automated changes, whichever is later) to include relationship to child, license number, and Medi-Cal/CalFresh status.