An Act creating a disproportionate share childcare provider fund

This bill creates a new fund within the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care to provide extra financial support to specific childcare agencies. The fund will be financed by depositing at least half of the annual licensing fees collected by the department into the account. To qualify for these payments, agencies must operate in designated gateway municipalities, have a licensed capacity of over 150 children, serve at least 95% of children from families living at or below the federal poverty level, and not already receive federal Head Start or Community Anti-Poverty Agency funding. Eligible agencies would receive bi-annual payments based on their licensed capacity, with any unspent money remaining in the fund for future use.