H 845

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  HB 845  2026
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to employee child care assistance
3programs study; creating s. 402.3216, F.S.; requiring
4the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government
5Accountability, beginning on a specified date, to
6perform a study of public and private employee child
7care assistance programs; providing requirements for
8the study; requiring the office to submit a certain
9report to the Governor and Legislature by a specified
10date; providing for future repeal of the study;
11providing an effective date.
12
13Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
14
15Section 1.        Section 402.3216, Florida Statutes, is created
16to read:
17402.3216  Child Care Cost and Affordability Study.—
18(1)     Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office of Program Policy
19Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) shall perform a
20study of public and private child care assistance programs for
21employees to evaluate the costs and affordability of the
22programs and effects on school readiness. The study's scope must
23include, but need not be limited to, all of the following:
24(a)     The characteristics of other states' programs.
25(b)     The potential benefits of a Florida program.
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 HB 845  2026
26(c)      The potential effects of a Florida program on:
271.      The state's school readiness program.
282.      The state's child care workforce.
293.      Childcare regulation and licensing.
30(2)      In conducting the study, OPPAGA must consult with the
31    school readiness program within the Department of Education, the
32    child care licensing program within the Department of Children
33    and Families, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and any other
34    entity OPPAGA deems relevant.
35(3)      By January 30, 2027, OPPAGA shall submit a report to
36    the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
37    the House of Representatives that details the findings of the
38    study and includes recommendations and potential options for a
39    state program to enhance school readiness, increase the
40    affordability of childcare assistance, and contain state costs.
41(4)      This section is repealed October 1, 2027.
42Section 2.        This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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