programs.

The department shall do all of the following:

contracting agencies.

The department shall do all of the following in administering the provisions of this chapter:

discretion of the department, and may be taken against a contractor whose agreement is being terminated either immediately or within 90 days. The receiver shall not be a department employee. The receiver shall have sufficient experience in the administration of child care and development programs to ensure compliance with the terms of the receivership.

relevant to the contract while employed in any capacity by the department. The prohibition contained in this subdivision shall apply to the person only during the two-year period beginning on the date the person left state employment.

serve in the department may be employed by a contractor pursuant to Section 10268.5 if they engaged in any of the negotiations, transactions, planning, arrangements, or any part of the decisionmaking process relevant to the contract while employed in any capacity by the department.

The department shall develop and coordinate resources, provide technical assistance, monitor program implementation, generate maximum federal reimbursement wherever possible for the federally eligible children, and facilitate alternative funding for those children for whom federal funds are not available.

these visits, and the frequency of these visits which shall be as frequently as staff and budget resources permit.

programs operated under contract from funds made available pursuant to the federal Child Care and Development Fund shall be administered according to Chapter 19 (commencing with Section 17906) of Division 1 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, unless provisions of these regulations conflict with federal regulations. If state and federal regulations conflict, the federal regulations shall apply unless a waiver of federal regulations is authorized.

10242. The data may be collected by survey or by another collection method. The data shall be provided to the department as part the contracting agency’s annual plan for its program self-evaluation process as required by Section 17709 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations or a successor statute or regulation, or as part of an existing reporting process determined by the director.

For purposes of meeting state and federal reporting requirements and for the effective administration of child care and development programs, the department is authorized to require the collection and submission of social security numbers of heads of households, and other information as required, from public and private agencies contracting with the department pursuant to this part, including local educational agencies.

Notwithstanding Section 14616 of the Government Code, the department may enter into and execute local contractual agreements with any public or private entity or agency for the delivery of child care and development services or the furnishing of property, facilities, personnel, supplies, equipment, and administrative services related to the delivery of child care development services. Prior to entering into or executing a local agreement, the department shall obtain annual approval from the Department of General Services and the Department of Finance as to the form and general content thereof. The agreements may only be made for the delivery of child care and development services, or the furnishing of property, facilities, personnel, supplies, equipment, or administrative services related thereto, which conform with the

provisions of this chapter.

Contractors operating or providing services pursuant to this chapter may do both of the following:

least five years, or, where an audit has been requested by a state agency, until the date the audit is resolved, whichever is longer.

of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, are satisfied.

Contractors operating or providing services pursuant to this chapter may use digital forms to allow families to apply for services, if those forms comply with state and federal standards.

On and after the date on which the department determines that the Financial Information System for California (Fi$Cal Project) has been implemented within the department, at the request of a contractor, for a contract executed by the department pursuant to Section 10268.5, the department shall request the Controller to make a payment via direct deposit by electronic funds transfer through the Fi$Cal Project into the contractor’s account at the financial institution of the contractor’s choice.

certificate of operation which would endanger the physical health, mental health, safety, or welfare of the children.

completed license application to the department within 15 working days of the issuance of the certificate of operation. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the cancellation of the certificate of operation. The certificate of operation shall expire upon the issuance or denial of a license by the department.

(A) A family is (i) a current aid recipient, (ii) income eligible, (iii) homeless, (iv) one whose children are recipients of protective services, or whose children have been identified as being abused, neglected, or exploited, or at risk of being abused, neglected, or exploited, or (v) one who has a member of its household who is certified to receive benefits from Medi-Cal, CalFresh, the California Food Assistance Program, the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Head Start, Early Head Start, or any

other designated means-tested government program, as determined by the department. If a family is deemed eligible pursuant to clause (v), the family shall be prioritized by the income declared on the application for the means-tested government program.

(B) A family needs the childcare services (i) because the child is identified by a legal, medical, or social services agency, a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths designated pursuant to Section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of Title 42 of the United States Code, a Head Start program, or an emergency or transitional shelter as (I) a recipient of protective services, (II) being neglected, abused, or exploited, or at risk of neglect, abuse, or exploitation, or (III) being homeless or (ii) because the parents are (I) engaged in vocational training leading directly to a recognized trade, paraprofession, or profession, (II) engaged in an educational program for English language

learners or to attain a high school diploma or general educational development certificate, (III) employed or seeking employment, (IV) seeking permanent housing for family stability, or (V) incapacitated.

being neglected or abused, upon written referral from a legal, medical, or social services agency. If an agency is unable to enroll a child in the first priority category, the agency shall refer the family to local resource and referral services to locate services for the child.

is no family of the same priority in which the primary home language is a language other than English, the family of the same priority that has been on the waiting list for the longest time shall be admitted first. For purposes of determining order of admission, grants of public assistance recipients shall be counted as income.

of services, a family enrolled in a state or federally funded childcare and development program whose services would otherwise be terminated because the family no longer meets the program income, eligibility, or need criteria may continue to receive child development services in another state or federally funded childcare and development program if the contractor is able to transfer the family’s enrollment to another program for which the family is eligible before the date of termination of services or to exchange the family’s existing enrollment with the enrollment of a family in another program, provided that both families satisfy the eligibility requirements for the program in which they are being enrolled. The transfer of enrollment may be to another program within the same administrative agency or to another agency that administers state or federally funded childcare and development programs.

including age-appropriate immunization, shall be required before, or within six weeks of, enrollment. A standard, rule, or regulation shall not require medical examination or immunization for admission to a childcare and development program of a child whose parent or guardian files a letter with the governing board of the childcare and development program stating that the medical examination or immunization is contrary to the parent’s or guardian’s religious beliefs, or provide for the exclusion of a child from the program because of a parent or guardian having filed the letter. However, if there is good cause to believe that a child is suffering from a recognized contagious or infectious disease, the child shall be temporarily excluded from the program until the governing board of the childcare and development program is satisfied that the child is not suffering from that contagious or infectious disease.

promulgated pursuant to this section shall include the recommendations of the State Department of Health Care Services relative to health care screening and the provision of health care services. The department shall seek the advice and assistance of these health authorities in situations where service under this part includes or requires care of children who are ill or children with exceptional needs.

reimbursement pursuant to this section.

increases in income that exceed the threshold for ongoing income eligibility as described in subdivision (b) of Section 10271.5, and the family’s ongoing eligibility for services shall at that time be recertified.

for services before a redetermination of eligibility, as required pursuant to Section 98.21 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) and Section 33308.5 of the Education Code, until regulations are filed with the Secretary of State to implement subdivision (h), the department shall implement subdivision (h) through management bulletins or similar letters of instruction on or before October 1, 2017.

Government Code) and Section 33308.5 of the Education Code, until regulations are filed with the Secretary of State, the department shall implement the changes made to subdivision (h) by the act that added this subdivision through management bulletins or similar letters of instruction on or before December 1, 2023.

median family income in the past 12 months by family size. The Department of Finance shall calculate the state median income for family sizes of five and above by using the most recent census data for a family of four and multiplying this number by the ratios for the appropriate family size used in the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (42 U.S.C. Sec. 8621 et seq.) and specified in federal regulations at paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) of subdivision (b) of Section 96.85 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Department of Finance shall update its calculations of the state median income for families according to the methodology provided in this subdivision and provide the updated data to the department no later than March 1 of each fiscal year.

supplemental program benefits pursuant to Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3 shall not be included as income for purposes of determining eligibility for childcare under this chapter.

not limited to, payments provided through pilot programs and projects receiving funding from the California Guaranteed Income Pilot Program (Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 18997) of Part 6).

countable income to determine the adjusted monthly income, as defined in Section 18078 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, as any of the following:

least two months, as applicable based on the income provided, to determine average adjusted monthly income for purposes of determining income eligibility or calculating a family fee.

current enrollment in the program, unless the contracting agency has, and elects to use, other means of obtaining verification of that enrollment.

Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement and administer this section through the issuance of guidance or other written directives.

determining contract reductions, provided that the aggregate reduction to each program specified in this subdivision is 11 percent or by whatever proportion is necessary to ensure that expenditures for these programs do not exceed the amounts appropriated for them, including any reductions made subsequent to the adoption of the annual Budget Act.

determining contract reductions, provided that the aggregate reduction to each program specified in this subdivision is 8.7 percent or whatever proportion is necessary to ensure that expenditures for these programs do not exceed the amounts appropriated for them, as adjusted for any reductions in appropriations made subsequent to the adoption of the annual Budget Act.

child care in another setting, for those hours within a day when the before or after school program does not operate, in order to meet the child care needs of the family.

By July 1, 1981, and annually thereafter, the State Department of Health Care Services shall provide a mechanism for the delivery of health screening and followup services for children enrolled in child care and development programs for whom there are no appropriate health services accessible by referral.

The department may waive or modify child development requirements in order to enable child development programs to serve combinations of eligible children in areas of low population. The child development programs for which the department may grant waivers shall include, but need not be limited to, migrant child care and development programs and general child care and development programs.

The department may provide outreach services and technical assistance to new child care contracting agencies and to those providing child care during nontraditional times, in underserved geographic areas, and for children with special child care needs, including infants and toddlers under three years of age.

shall operate pursuant to adult/child ratios prescribed in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 86001) of Division 6 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

provided by the agency.

Until the department promulgates regulations for center-based programs establishing staffing ratios, the following staffing ratios shall apply:

old—1:18 adult-child ratio, 1:36 teacher-child ratio.

by the childcare provider, or via the United States Postal Service. The program shall send the notice, as well as the effective date of any change described in this subdivision, no later than the day the program becomes aware that the change will occur.

section no later than July 1, 2026. The department may readopt any emergency regulation authorized by this section that is the same as, or substantially equivalent to, any emergency regulation previously adopted pursuant to this section. The initial adoption of regulations pursuant to this section and one readoption of emergency regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare. Initial emergency regulations and one readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law. The initial emergency regulations and the one readoption of emergency regulations authorized by this section shall be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law for filing with the Secretary of State, and each shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days, by which time final regulations shall be adopted.

written consent to recover any overpayment.

contractors with the development and implementation of the plans prepared pursuant to this section and in compliance with the requirement for timely payments. If the department becomes aware that a county or contractor is not complying with the requirements of this section, the department may issue a finding of noncompliance, and the county or contractor may be subject to corrective action.

effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

commencing January 1, 2024, and

to June 30, 2025, inclusive. The amount per child shall range between ninety-eight dollars ($98) and two hundred eleven dollars ($211) per month to be determined based on the family childcare provider type and the region in which the family childcare provider is located pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3). The state shall provide the amount of the monthly costs of care plus rate for all family childcare providers serving children described in this paragraph based on the number of subsidized children enrolled. This monthly rate shall be issued to family childcare providers based on monthly child enrollments for subsidized childcare and development and state preschool programs.

be as follows:

dollars ($119) per each license-exempt family childcare provider, and one hundred seventy-one dollars ($171) per each licensed family childcare provider.

Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.

Schedule (1) of Item 6100-194-0001 and Schedule (1) of 6100-196-0001 of the Budget Act of 2023, the Budget Act of 2024, and the Budget Act of 2025 to provide a once-per-month, per-child-served who is enrolled in subsidized childcare cost of care plus rate.

described in subdivision (b) increased by the percentage calculated in clause (iii) of subparagraph (B). The state shall provide the amount of the monthly costs of care plus rate for all family childcare providers serving children described in this paragraph based on the number of subsidized children enrolled. This monthly rate shall be issued to family childcare providers based on monthly child enrollments for subsidized childcare and development and state preschool programs.

of this code and paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 42238.15 of the Education Code. These programs include alternative payment programs, including migrant alternative payment programs pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10225), migrant childcare and development programs pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 10235), general childcare and development programs pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 10240), family childcare home education networks pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 10250), and childcare and development services for children with special needs pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 10260) of this part, and the California state preschool program pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8200) of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code, and exclude state preschool programs operated by local educational agencies.

(ii) The estimated cost of providing the monthly

cost of care plus rates described in subdivision (b) of this section and subdivision (b) of Section 10277.2 in the 2025–26 fiscal year, excluding costs for state preschool programs operated by local educational agencies, based on the estimates of child enrollment in 2025–26 provided by the State Department of Social Services and State Department of Education, respectively.

(iii) Divide the amount calculated in clause (i) by the amount calculated in clause (ii).

(C) Family childcare provides shall be paid the increase calculated in clause (iii) of subparagraph (B), per child, for each month or partial month occurring between July 1, 2025, and December 30, 2025, inclusive, as a one-time payment. The one-time payment shall be applicable to all family childcare providers who were reimbursed for

subsidized childcare and development or state preschool program services in the month of April 2025, based on enrollment numbers for that month.

(D) (i) The payment described in subparagraph (C) is due to providers by January 1, 2026, contingent upon full ratification by September 30, 2025, of the tentative agreement reached between the State of California and the Child Care Providers United - California on August 7, 2025.

(ii) If full ratification of the tentative agreement reached between the State of California and the Child Care Providers United - California on August 7, 2025, is not achieved by September 30, 2025, providers shall receive an increase to the one-time payment described in subparagraph (C), and the January 1, 2026, deadline described

in clause (i) shall not apply. If the payment is not made to providers by January 1, 2026, the following per-child amounts shall be added to the one-time payment described in subparagraph (C) for each additional month or partial month, occurring after January 1, 2026, for which providers have not received the payment described in subparagraph (C):

(I) For family childcare providers in the central region, twelve dollars ($12) per child, per each licensed family childcare provider, and nine dollars ($9) per child, per each license-exempt family childcare provider.

(II) For family childcare providers in the northern region, thirteen dollars ($13) per child, per each licensed family childcare provider, and nine dollars ($9) per child, per each license-exempt family childcare provider.

(III) For family childcare providers

in the southern region, fourteen dollars ($14) per child, per each licensed family childcare provider, and ten dollars ($10) per child, per each license-exempt family childcare provider.

(IV) For family childcare providers in the Los Angeles region, fifteen dollars ($15) per child, per each licensed family childcare provider, and eleven dollars ($11) per child, per each license-exempt family childcare provider.

(V) For family childcare providers in the bay area region, nineteen dollars ($19) per child, per each licensed family childcare provider, and thirteen dollars ($13) per child, per each license-exempt family childcare provider.

(E) Commencing January 1, 2026, or the date that the one-time payment

described in subparagraph (C) is made to family childcare providers, whichever is later, providers shall receive the increased monthly cost of care plus rate calculated pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) as a per-child monthly payment. The per-child monthly rate calculated pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall range between one hundred seven dollars ($107) and two hundred thirty dollars ($230). Per-child amounts shall be as follows:

(ii) For family childcare providers in the northern region, one hundred eight dollars ($108) per each

license-exempt family childcare provider, and one hundred fifty-four dollars ($154) per each licensed family childcare provider.

(iii) For family childcare providers in the southern region, one hundred twenty-two dollars ($122) per each license-exempt family childcare provider, and one hundred seventy-four dollars ($174) per each licensed family childcare provider.

(iv) For family childcare providers in the Los Angeles region, one hundred thirty dollars ($130) per each license-exempt family childcare provider, and one hundred eighty-six dollars ($186) per each licensed family childcare provider.

provider.

(F) The regions described in this paragraph are the same as those defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b).

shall

provide family childcare providers with a one-time stabilization payment. This payment is due to providers no later than January 1, 2026, contingent upon full ratification by September 30, 2025, of the tentative agreement reached between the State of California and the Child Care Providers United - California on August 7, 2025. If full ratification is not reached by September 30, 2025, the January 1, 2026 deadline shall not apply. The payment amounts shall be

per-child-served who is enrolled in subsidized childcare,

pursuant to paragraph (2). The one-time, per-child stabilization payment shall be applicable to all family childcare providers who were reimbursed for subsidized childcare and development or state preschool program services in the month of April 2025, based on enrollment numbers for that month.

amounts shall be

as follows:

to operate a

family daycare home, as defined in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 1596.78 of the Health and Safety Code.

Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 10225) of, Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 10235) of, Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 10240) of, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 10250) of, Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 10260) of, or Chapter 21 (commencing with Section 10370) of, Part 1.8 of Division 9 of this code, or the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11461.6) of Part 2 of this code, or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8200) of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.

provide state preschool programs, alternative payment and direct contract programs, or any other agency designated to distribute payments to these providers with a 10-percent administrative fee for processing the monthly rates and a 5-percent administrative fee for processing the one-time payments described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) and the one-time, per-child stabilization payments. For payments provided after June 30, 2025, the 10-percent administrative fee for processing the monthly rates shall only apply to the monthly rate amounts specified in subdivision (b).

program family childcare home education network, and the State Department of Social Services shall allocate funding to contracting agencies for distribution of rates and payments pursuant to this section to family childcare providers participating in subsidized childcare and development programs administered by the State Department of Social Services.

pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the personal services contracting requirements of Article 4 (commencing with Section 19130) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the Public Contract Code, and the State Contracting Manual, and shall not be subject to the review or approval of the Department of General Services.

one-time, per-child stabilization payments pursuant to this section to their employees in the form of compensation, including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, and direct benefits.

commencing January 1, 2024, and to June 30, 2025, inclusive. The amount per child shall range between one hundred forty dollars ($140) and two hundred eleven dollars ($211), per month, to be determined based on the region in which the center is located pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3). The state shall provide the amount of the monthly cost of care plus rate for all centers serving children described in this paragraph based on the number of subsidized children enrolled. This monthly rate shall be issued to centers based on monthly child enrollments for subsidized childcare and development and state preschool programs.

Counties of Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.

and to the State Department of Education from funds specified in Schedule (1) of Item 6100-194-0001 and Schedule (1) of 6100-196-0001 of the Budget Act of 2023, the Budget Act of 2024, and the Budget Act of 2025 to provide a once-per-month, per-child-served who is enrolled in subsidized childcare cost of care plus rate.

($152).

(ii) For centers in the northern region, one hundred fifty-four dollars ($154).

(iii) For centers in the southern region, one hundred seventy-four dollars ($174).

(iv) For centers in the Los Angeles region, one hundred eighty-six dollars ($186).

($230).

(B) The regions described in this paragraph are the same as those defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b).

(commencing with Section 11461.6) of Part 2 of this code, or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 8200) of Part 6 of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Education Code.

centers.

are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 10426, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if such provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature.

7, 2025, CCPU shall provide the state with an annual report detailing the distribution of funds from the prior year and any remaining balance. Reports may be submitted no later than June 30 of each year until July 1, 2028.

of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 10426, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if such provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature.

to Section 10426, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if such provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature.