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FloridaSB 16902026SenateWALLET

Child Care and Early Learning Services

Sponsored By: Alexis Calatayud (Republican), Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Signed by Governor

AppropriationChildren, Families, and Elder AffairsEducation Pre-K - 12AppropriationsHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New fund helps families pay for care

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Florida Child Care Fund supports care from birth until kindergarten eligibility. A certified nonprofit education support group manages donations, gifts, grants, earnings, and any state appropriations in a separate Early Learning Fund. Money supports coalition waiting lists or needs chosen by donors; block-grant appropriations must serve waiting-list children. Families receiving waiting-list support still pay income-based copayments, and providers receive the School Readiness reimbursement rate. Donor-selected providers outside School Readiness must sign a state-approved coalition contract. The law also allows approved education support groups to manage property and spend money on early learning from birth to age 5. No funding amount is guaranteed. Annual fund reporting begins January 1, 2027, covering children served, coalition outcomes, private fundraising, expenses, and funding sources.

Insurance protection for child care homeowners

Beginning July 1, 2026, insurers cannot deny, cancel, or refuse to renew home insurance solely because residents operate child care homes. This protection covers family and large family child care homes. Insurers can still act when operators exceed child limits or fail licensing, registration, or separate business liability coverage requirements. They can also act for willful or grossly negligent conduct, or safety-law violations, that materially increase insured risks.

Utility tax savings for child care homes

Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed family child care homes qualify for a sales-tax exemption on eligible household utilities and fuels. Covered uses include heating, cooking, lighting, and refrigeration. Utilities must come from a company paying Florida's gross receipts tax; fuels must meet household or residential-model use requirements. If any part of a purchase serves a nonexempt purpose, the entire sale is taxable.

Child care homes face coverage limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, home insurance need not cover or defend claims tied to operating a child care home. Coverage requires express policy terms or a business rider or endorsement. Large family child care homes need two full-time staff present during operation, including the owner or occupant. Before applying, the home needs two years of licensed family-home operation; the operator needs a qualifying credential held for one year. That credential must be a Child Development Associate credential or its equivalent. Capacity is eight children from birth to 24 months, or 12 children with no more than four under 24 months. Household children under 13 count toward capacity when present or on a field trip.

Fewer zoning barriers for child care homes

Beginning July 1, 2026, registered or licensed family child care homes count as valid residential uses in residential zones. Homes must be registered or licensed with Florida's Department of Children and Families. Local governments cannot require a special exemption, use permit, or waiver for this operation. They also cannot charge a special fee above $50.

More child care safety information for parents

Beginning July 1, 2026, state and local licensing agencies must provide electronic listings of child care facility names and addresses. Listings are not limited to licensed facilities. Public information must include annual counts of deaths, serious injuries, and confirmed child abuse, including in exempt settings. Covered exempt facilities must state that Florida's Department of Children and Families does not license or regulate them. This notice must appear on websites, promotional materials, and facility-created documents and forms given to families.

New training center for child care workers

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law requires a Center for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, subject to an appropriation. The TEACH Scholarship Program administrator is responsible for creating and running it. The center aligns statewide training with early learning standards and career pathways. It includes training and trainer approval systems and assessments of professional skills. The law specifies no appropriation amount.

Child care homes drop parent safety notices

Beginning July 1, 2026, family and large family child care homes no longer must provide specified parent safety notices. These notices cover influenza causes, symptoms, and spread, plus the risk of leaving a child in a vehicle. For family day care homes, this ends the August and September notice requirement. Operators have less required paperwork, while parents lose these required notices; the law specifies no replacement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Alexis Calatayud

    Republican • Senate

  • Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Appropriations

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Education Pre-K - 12

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 177 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 111 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Appropriations Vote

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Education Pre-K - 12 Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/3/2026

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Vote

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-140

    6/12/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/12/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/9/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0

    3/11/2026House

  6. Read 3rd time

    3/11/2026House

  7. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/11/2026House

  8. Read 2nd time

    3/11/2026House

  9. 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)

    3/10/2026House

  10. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026)

    3/10/2026House

  11. Bill referred to House Calendar

    3/10/2026House

  12. In Messages

    3/5/2026House

  13. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 547

    3/4/2026Senate

  14. Read 3rd time -SJ 547

    3/4/2026Senate

  15. Amendment(s) adopted (353964) -SJ 546

    3/4/2026Senate

  16. Read 2nd time -SJ 546

    3/4/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26

    3/2/2026Senate

  18. CS/CS/CS by Appropriations read 1st time

    2/25/2026Senate

  19. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    2/25/2026Senate

  20. Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    2/25/2026Senate

  21. CS/CS/CS by- Appropriations; YEAS 17 NAYS 0

    2/24/2026Senate

  22. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 02/24/26, 9:00 am, 110 Senate Building

    2/19/2026Senate

  23. Now in Appropriations

    2/12/2026Senate

  24. CS/CS by Education Pre-K - 12 read 1st time

    2/11/2026Senate

  25. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    2/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

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