An Act To Increase Access to Child Care
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0383
Committee Amendment CA_A_S408 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to S.P. 124, L.D. 383, Bill, "An Act To 
Increase Access to Child Care" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services To Develop a 
Plan To Strengthen the Quality and Supply of Child Care Services' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to develop child care 
provider plan. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall 
develop a plan for increasing the number of child care providers participating in step 3 
and step 4 of the child care quality rating system developed pursuant to the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3737, subsection 3 and the graduated quality 
differential rates of reimbursement for those providers. The department shall consult 
with stakeholders as it develops the plan, including those groups involved with the 
contract for the Quality for ME Revision Project. In developing the plan the department 
shall: 
1. 
Determine if sufficient funding is available under the federal child care and 
development fund block grant to be used to support additional reimbursement based on 
quality; 
2. Develop incentives for child care providers to attain step 3 and step 4 ratings, 
including reimbursement 
differentials, 
grant programs, 
contracts, 
professional 
development, child care and educational training programs and increased infant and 
toddler care, while balancing the regulatory requirements and needs of the entire child 
care system; 
3. Take into account the geographic differences in the State so that parents in all 
areas have access to child care providers at step 3 and step 4; 
4. Develop definitions of "disabilities" and "special needs" for infants and toddlers to 
be used in quality standards; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A" to S.P. 124, L.D. 383 
5. Determine if the federal statutory and regulatory framework allows the differential 
plan being developed and if changes are required in the state child care and development 
fund plan to align with the differential plan; 
6. Determine any state statutory or regulatory barriers to increasing the supply and 
quality of child care; and 
7. Provide data on the existing numbers of children in need of care; child care 
providers by type, step on the child care quality rating system, geography, number of 
children currently served and capacity; and any other relevant factors; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services 
shall report its findings and statutory recommendations pursuant to section 1 no later than 
January 30, 2019 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over health and human services matters. The joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over health and human services matters may report out legislation 
based on the fmdings of the report to the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill, which is a concept draft, with a resolve that 
requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for increasing 
the supply of child care providers participating in steps 3 and 4 of the child care quality 
rating system established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3737, 
subsection 3. 
The department is required to include stakeholders in the process of 
developing the plan, including those involved in the Quality for ME Revision Project. 
The plan must include determining whether sufficient funding in the federal child care 
and development fund block grant exists. It must examine federal and state statutory and 
regulatory frameworks to determine what is allowable, factors that present barriers and if 
the state child care and development fund plan must be amended. The plan must take 
into consideration reimbursement differentials, grant programs, contracts, professional 
development, child care and educational training programs and increased infant and 
toddler care to increase the supply of child care providers participating in steps 3 and 4. 
The plan must take into account geographic differences in access to quality child care in 
the State. The department must develop definitions of "disabilities" and "special needs" 
for infants and toddlers to be used in quality standards. The department is required to 
provide data on the numbers of children in need of care and child care providers by type, 
step on the child care quality rating system, geography, numbers served and capacity and 
any other relevant data. The department is required to submit its report to the joint 
5 
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services 
matters no later than January 30, 2019. The committee may report out legislation to the 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 03/19/18 feac 
LD383 
LR 1570(02) 
An Act To Increase Access to Child Care 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A' (S-L/0'6) 
Committee: Health and Human Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan in consultation with 
stakeholders to strengthen the quality and supply of child care services are expected to be minor and can be absorbed 
within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1570(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1