Establish Child Care Cred Program

SB 273 creates the Child Care Cred Program, which allows eligible employees in the state to share the cost of licensed child care with their employers and the Department of Children and Youth. Under this voluntary program, the financial burden is split equally among the employee, the employer, and the state department, though employers may choose to cover more of the employee's share. To qualify, employees must live in the state and not use publicly funded child care, while employers must select specific employees to participate and child care providers must be properly licensed or certified. The bill also establishes the administrative framework for applications, requires memorandums of understanding between all parties, and includes funding provisions to support the program's operations.