S 946

Florida Senate - 2026  SB 946
By Senator Arrington
25-00933-26  2026946__
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to a study on childcare assistance
3programs; requiring the Office of Program Policy
4Analysis and Government Accountability, beginning on a
5specified date, to conduct a study of state public and
6private employee child care assistance programs for a
7specified purpose; specifying the scope of the study;
8requiring the office to consult with specified
9entities in conducting the study; requiring the office
10to submit a report of its findings and recommendations
11to the Governor and the Legislature by a specified
12date; specifying requirements for the report;
13providing for expiration; providing an effective date.
14
15Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17Section 1. (1)Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office of
18Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
19shall conduct a study of state public and private employee
20childcare assistance programs to evaluate whether a public
21employee childcare assistance program should be implemented in
22this state. The scope of the study must, at a minimum, include
23consideration of all of the following:
24(a)Elements and operating procedures of other states’
25childcare assistance programs.
26(b)The potential benefits a Florida public employee
27childcare assistance program would provide to residents of this
28state and any cost savings it would provide to the state and its
29workforce.
30(c)The potential effects a Florida public employee
31childcare assistance program would have on the state’s school
32readiness program, childcare workforce, and childcare regulation
33and licensing.
34(2)In conducting the study, OPPAGA must consult with the
35Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning overseeing
36the school readiness program, the Department of Children and
37Families childcare licensing office, the Florida Chamber of
38Commerce, and any other entity OPPAGA deems relevant to carry
39out the objectives of the study.
40(3)By January 30, 2027, OPPAGA shall submit a report of
41its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President
42of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
43The report must include potential options for establishing a
44Florida public employee childcare assistance program that
45enhances school readiness, advances the affordability of
46childcare, and supports the state’s workforce, all while
47containingcosts to the state.
48(4)This section expires October 1, 2027.
49Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.