AlaskaSB 9534th Legislature - Second Session (2026)SenateWALLET

CHILD CARE: ASSISTANCE/GRANTS

Sponsored By: SENATE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Child care help with 7% cap

The state runs a program that helps pay for child care. You qualify if your monthly income is at or below 105% of the state median, adjusted for family size. Your payment to the provider cannot be more than 7% of your family’s monthly income, using a sliding fee scale. The state sets subsidy amounts by region based on market or cost studies. You choose the licensed facility. Benefits are only for parents who are working, looking for work, or in school, when child care frees them to do so.

Grants for high‑quality child care

The state can award grants to top‑performing, licensed child care providers, if money is appropriated. The department, with parents and the referral agency, sets the rules to label a provider as “quality.” Grant‑funded sites must reserve at least 15% of subsidized spaces, or one space, for parents who pay by attendance and must prioritize low‑income families. These sites cannot deny a child because of disability or family income.

Payments to contractors and admin cap

The department pays funds to the municipality or organization that holds the contract with a provider. Contractors may keep the greater of $1,000 or 12% of funds received for admin costs. This sets a clear payment path and limits how much contractors keep.

Federal approval and start dates

The department must amend and send the state’s child care plan to the federal government. Key changes in section 6 take effect only if federal approval is granted, or not needed, by January 1, 2026. If approved, section 6 starts the day after that decision, and the commissioner must give written notice within 30 days. Parts of this law apply retroactive to July 23, 2024.

Updated child care definitions and cleanup

The law defines child care and what counts as a child care facility for licensing and program use. It also removes several older law parts to match the new program design. These changes clarify who is covered and align the rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • SENATE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. (H) CONDITIONAL EFFECT SATISFIED, MEMO RECEIVED 3/11/26

    3/11/2026House
  2. (H) FN2: (CC:HB53/DOH)

    10/15/2025House
  3. (H) FN(S) ATTACHED TO APPROP. BILL HB 53

    10/15/2025House
  4. (H) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/30/25

    10/15/2025House
  5. (S) LEG FINANCE APPROPRIATION MESSAGE 9/30/25

    10/15/2025Senate
  6. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER

    7/30/2025Senate
  7. (S) SIGNED INTO LAW 6/24 CHAPTER 14 SLA 25

    7/30/2025Senate
  8. (S) MANIFEST ERROR(S)

    7/30/2025Senate
  9. (S) 10:30 A.M. 6/20/25 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR

    7/30/2025Senate
  10. (H) VERSION: SB 95

    5/17/2025House
  11. (H) RETURN TO (S), TRANSMIT TO GOV NEXT

    5/17/2025House
  12. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

    5/17/2025House
  13. (H) PASSED Y27 N12 E1

    5/17/2025House
  14. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 95

    5/17/2025House
  15. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/17 CALENDAR

    5/16/2025House
  16. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

    5/16/2025House
  17. (H) HELD TO 5/16 CALENDAR

    5/14/2025House
  18. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/14/2025

    5/14/2025House
  19. (H) FN1: (DOH)

    5/14/2025House
  20. (H) NR: BYNUM, STAPP, TOMASZEWSKI, ALLARD

    5/14/2025House
  21. (H) DP: HANNAN, GALVIN, JIMMIE, FOSTER, JOSEPHSON, SCHRAGE

    5/14/2025House
  22. (H) FIN RPT 6DP 4NR

    5/14/2025House
  23. (H) Minutes (HFIN)

    5/13/2025House
  24. (H) Moved SB 95 Out of Committee -- Recessed to a Call of the Chair --

    5/13/2025House
  25. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519

    5/13/2025House

Bill Text

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