Int 0488-2022

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Child care grant pilot program. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Administering agency. The term "administering agency" means the agency, office or individual designated by the mayor to administer the child care grant pilot program established by this section. Child care program. The term "child care program" means any child care program serving children whose families are receiving child care assistance subject to title 5-C of article 6 of the social services law. Pilot program. The term "pilot program" means the child care grant pilot program established by this local law. b. Child care grant pilot program. 1. No later than July 1, 2023, the administering agency shall establish, subject to appropriation, a three-year pilot program from which grants may be awarded to child care programs, in accordance with the requirements of this section. 2. The administering agency may award to a child care program that establishes a need for assistance in accordance with rules of the administering agency a grant in an amount that the administering agency determines appropriate to assist with maintaining the operations of the child care program, except that the total combined grants paid to all child care programs in a fiscal year shall not exceed the appropriations for the pilot program for such fiscal year. The administering agency may award a grant to a child care program pursuant to this section only if the administering agency determines that there is a significant risk of closure or displacement of the child care program, and the child care program: (a) Files an application for the pilot program on a form prepared by the administering agency; (b) Certifies the number of employees employed by the child care program; and (c) Meets any other requirements for the pilot program established by rules promulgated by the administering agency in accordance with this section. c. Rules. No later than May 1, 2023, the administering agency shall promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of this section, including determining eligibility criteria for such grants and how grant awards from the pilot program may be allocated to child care programs each year in an equitable manner. d. Report. No later than one year after the commencement of the pilot program, and annually thereafter, the administering agency shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report that includes, but need not be limited to, the following information: 1. For each grant recipient: (a) The name of such grant recipient; (b) The amount of the grant; and (c) The type of child care program operated by such grant recipient; 2. An overview of any challenges associated with implementing the pilot program; and 3. Recommendations for whether and how such pilot program may be continued or expanded. e. Website. No later than one year after the commencement of the pilot program, the administering agency shall post online, and update as appropriate, information on the pilot program, including, but not limited to, eligibility for such program, application instructions and required documentation. � 2. This local law takes effect immediately and is deemed repealed upon submission of the third annual report required by subdivision d of section one of this local law. JEF / BM LS # 8774 10/03/22 5:40 pm