The department, in consultation with the Office of Child and Family Services, the Children's Cabinet, established under Title 5, section 19131, subsection 1, and the council, shall develop, in accordance with this section, a phased implementation plan with benchmarks for limiting child care costs by 2030 to no more than 7% of a family's income for a family earning up to 250% of the median family income in the State. The implementation plan must focus on children and families that are the furthest from opportunity, as determined by family income, must include recommended targeted supports for providers serving children who are underserved and must emphasize greater racial equity. The implementation plan must include: [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §8 (NEW).] 1. Phased approach. A phased approach with benchmarks that gradually increases eligibility based on income until 2030; [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §8 (NEW).] 2. Copayments. A graduated system of copayments to eliminate the benefit cliff effect as defined in Title 26, section 3801, subsection 1 for families and to limit the amount a family pays for child care; [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §8 (NEW).] 3. Cost modeling. Payment rates informed by a cost modeling tool that includes providing a living wage to licensed child care providers; [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §8 (NEW).] 4. Expanded access. Expanded access to a child care subsidy by developing a model to enable the department to provide contracted slots to programs that service a family using the child care subsidy; and [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §8 (NEW).] 5. Strategy. A strategy, a budget, revenue recommendations and a timeline to achieve the goals of this section. [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §8 (NEW).]
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