FloridaFlorida child care fund can help pay for care
The text provides for a child care fund that can help pay for care before kindergarten and a statewide training center if lawmakers provide money.
What it does
Gifts and other money can help pay for care for children from birth until kindergarten, including children on early learning waiting lists. Families served through the waiting list owe an income-based copayment.
Facilities using the described licensing exemption must meet local health and safety requirements, screen personnel, and tell families they are not licensed or regulated by the state.
If lawmakers provide money, the TEACH Scholarship Program administrator must run a center to align early childhood training across Florida.
Argument forGifts and other money could help pay for care for children waiting for early learning services before kindergarten.
Argument againstFamilies served through the waiting list may still owe an income-based copayment, and the fund’s support depends on money being available.
More detail
A Department of Education support organization administers the Florida Child Care Fund. The fund can support care for children from birth until they are eligible for kindergarten. Gifts, grants, and donations go into the Early Learning Fund; state money and interest earnings must be tracked separately. Any legislative appropriation from the Child Care and Development Block Grant Trust Fund must support children on early learning coalitions’ waiting lists. Families served through the waiting list must pay an income-based copayment. Beginning January 1, 2027, the state must publish a yearly report on the fund’s results and fundraising for the previous fiscal year.
A child care facility using the described licensing exemption must meet local health, sanitation, and safety requirements and screen its personnel. This applies to the facilities described in the text as exempt under section 402.316, including certain church or parochial school facilities and facilities serving eligible children. Failure to meet the screening requirements results in loss of the exemption from licensure. The facility must display a statement on its website, promotional materials, and documents or forms it gives families, saying it is exempt from state licensing and regulation.
The TEACH Scholarship Program administrator must run a Center for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. The center concerns early childhood professionals and their training across Florida. The center is required only if the Legislature provides an appropriation. It must align training statewide, including training and trainer approval systems and skills-based assessments tied to early learning standards and career paths.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Chapter No. 2026-140Latest
- Jun 12Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 111, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 101st Reading (Engrossed 1)Minor
- Mar 10Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026)
- Mar 10Bill referred to House Calendar
- Mar 5In Messages
- Mar 4CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 4Amendment(s) adopted (353964)
- Mar 4Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 2Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26
- Feb 25CS/CS/CS by Appropriations read 1st time
- Feb 25Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Feb 25Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 24CS/CS/CS by- Appropriations; YEAS 17 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 02/24/26, 9:00 am, 110 Senate Building
- Feb 12Now in Appropriations
- Feb 11CS/CS by Education Pre-K - 12 read 1st time
- Feb 11Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 10CS/CS by Education Pre-K - 12; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs read 1st time
- Feb 5On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 02/10/26, 3:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
- Feb 5Now in Education Pre-K - 12
- Feb 5Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 3CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 4 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 29On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 02/03/26, 1:00 pm, 301 Senate Building
- Jan 22IntroducedMinor
- Jan 16Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education Pre-K - 12; AppropriationsMinor
- Jan 9FiledIntroduced
EducationTaxes & Budget