The department shall create and maintain an estimator tool in accordance with this section to calculate the actual cost of quality child care. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] 1. Considerations. In developing the costs estimator tool, the department shall consider: A. Including a living wage compensation scale for early childhood educators; [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] B. Including employee salaries and benefits; [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] C. Including facility costs; [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] D. Including costs associated with compliance with statutory and rule requirements, including the child care quality rating system under section 3737, subsection 3 and specific costs associated with each step of the rating system and any quality indicators used; [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] E. Differentiating rates by child age and geographic region; and [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] F. Using data and research from available studies and reports. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).] 2. Accessibility. The estimator tool must be publicly accessible. The department's process for making changes to the tool must be transparent to the public. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]
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