Requires eligible agencies that receive state funding for universal prekindergarten located in a city with a population of one million or more to accept administration for children's services child care vouchers if such eligible agency is a licensed or registered child care setting.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7957
SPONSOR: O'Donnell
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in
relation to requiring eligible agencies that receive state funding for
universal prekindergarten located in a city with a population of one
million or more to accept child care vouchers
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill intends to improve availability of childcare centers to fami-
lies with ACS vouchers.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the administrative code of the city of New York by
adding a new section 21-121 to require licensed childcare facilities to
accept Administration for Children's Services vouchers.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation is meant to provide more childcare options to families
with Administration for Children's Services (ACS) vouchers. While these
vouchers are a great help to many low-income families, the lack of
available childcare facilities that accept ACS vouchers in some neigh-
borhoods makes it difficult for these families locate appropriate child-
care. This can in turn hinder many parents' return to work, family
income, and career prospects. With New York City's wide variety of
commute times, some families prefer to have a daycare close to home,
while others prefer a daycare close to work, and often the answer chang-
es depending on employment and work schedule.
In addition, this legislation intends to make more formal, center-based
daycares available to families with ACS vouchers, and will allow fami-
lies to choose the best childcare option for their child. Improving the
portability of ACS vouchers will ultimately allow families and children
to gain better results from the program.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act will take effect immediately
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7957
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
August 18, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. O'DONNELL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in
relation to requiring eligible agencies that receive state funding for
universal prekindergarten located in a city with a population of one
million or more to accept child care vouchers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The administrative code of the city of New York is amended
2 by adding a new section 21-121 to read as follows:
3 § 21-121 Acceptance of child care vouchers by agencies receiving
4 universal prekindergarten funding. Any eligible agency, as defined by
5 paragraph b of subdivision one of section thirty-six hundred two-e of
6 the education law, that receives funding for universal prekindergarten
7 pursuant to sections thirty-six hundred two-e and thirty-six hundred
8 two-ee of the education law, and that is located in a city with a popu-
9 lation of one million or more, shall be required to accept adminis-
10 tration for children's services child care vouchers if such eligible
11 agency is a licensed or registered child care setting.
12 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11658-01-3