Child care groups could set up shared benefit plans

A group or association of child care facilities would be allowed to establish a multiple employer welfare arrangement, a way for employers to arrange benefits together. A child care facility means a child care center or child care home. The provision would take effect July 1, 2026.

The Department of Insurance would have to create and publish a survey for child care facilities. The survey would ask each responding facility for its name, whether it is interested in establishing an arrangement, and its current costs for accident, sickness, and death benefits. The department would have to create the survey by September 1, 2026, and publish it on its website.

The Department of Insurance would have to notify the Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services when it publishes the survey. The office would have to email each child care facility a direct link. The email would go to each child care facility. The 14-day period would start when the office receives notice that the survey is published.

The Department of Insurance would have to help interested facilities communicate with one another and advise them on ways to lower insurance costs. The support would be for child care facilities. The communication help would be for facilities that express interest in establishing an arrangement.