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