Child Care - Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Modifications and Workgroup

SB 857 modifies Maryland's Prekindergarten Expansion Grant Program to ensure funds are used for adding new slots for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (income ≤300% of federal poverty guidelines), not replacing existing infant and toddler childcare. The bill requires grant applications to use clear, multilingual instructions with a February 15 deadline, mandates award notifications by March 1, and ensures 100% of funds are disbursed by July 1. It establishes a multiyear grant process for provider stability and directs the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to multilingual applicants, family child care providers, and small independent centers. Additionally, the bill mandates a workgroup to explore incentives for growing child care provider capacity.