128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 166 LR 585(03)
An Act To Increase Reimbursement for Child Care Services
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (S-407)
Committee: Health and Human Services
             
Fiscal Note
Contingent current biennium cost increase - Federal Block Grant Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to increase rates paid to child care centers up to the 75th percentile in the child care subsidy program, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Additional Support for People in Retraining and Employment Program (ASPIRE) contingent upon the Child Care and Development Block Grant discretionary funding being increased by federal legislation. The federal Bipartisan Budget Act, PL 115-123 increased federal discretionary spending to multiple programs. However, the actual programs that will receive the discretionary increases are not known at this time. When that information becomes known, the additional allocations to allow the rate increases will need to be made by financial order.

Assuming that the discretionary funding allows for the increase in the rates to the 75th percentile, DHHS would require Federal Block Grant allocations of $6,510,610 annually. Of this funding, $4,058,620 would be on behalf of recipients of benefits under the child care subsidy program and $2,451,990 would be on behalf of recipients of benefits under the TANF and ASPIRE programs.