PUBLIC AID-DHS-CHILD CARE-RATE

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning child care for TANF recipients, provides that in order to determine child care base reimbursement rates, the Department of Human Services shall conduct, every other year, a market rate survey of the licensed child care providers in the State. (Removes a provision concerning a market rate survey to be completed by July 1, 1998.) Provides that the Department may establish varying child care base reimbursement rates based on age classifications and groupings of counties reflective of variations in the price of child care as determined by the market rate survey. Provides that not later than the start of the first fiscal year following the effective date of this amendatory Act, all base reimbursement rates for licensed child care providers shall thereafter be set at not less than the 50th percentile and shall not exceed the 75th percentile as determined by the most recent market rate survey. Makes provision for percentile adjustments, rates for registered legally license-exempt home child care providers, and providers who serve children with a special need. Requires the Department to implement a tiered rate reimbursement system under which child care providers who attain benchmarks of higher quality child care shall receive a premium in addition to the base reimbursement rate. Provides that child care providers who accept reimbursement from the Department under these provisions may not charge a parent receiving child care assistance a rate in excess of the parent's co-payment. Removes a provision that the Department shall, by rule, set rates to be paid for the various types of child care. Effective immediately.