THE BILL ITSELF
SB 946
Study on Childcare Assistance Programs
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 946 By Senator Arrington 25-00933-26 2026946__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to a study on childcare assistance
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programs; requiring the Office of Program Policy
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Analysis and Government Accountability, beginning on a
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specified date, to conduct a study of state public and
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private employee child care assistance programs for a
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specified purpose; specifying the scope of the study;
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requiring the office to consult with specified
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entities in conducting the study; requiring the office
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to submit a report of its findings and recommendations
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to the Governor and the Legislature by a specified
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date; specifying requirements for the report;
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providing for expiration; providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. (1) Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office of
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Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)
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shall conduct a study of state public and private employee
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childcare assistance programs to evaluate whether a public
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employee childcare assistance program should be implemented in
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this state. The scope of the study must, at a minimum, include
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consideration of all of the following:
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(a) Elements and operating procedures of other states’
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childcare assistance programs.
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(b) The potential benefits a Florida public employee
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childcare assistance program would provide to residents of this
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state and any cost savings it would provide to the state and its
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workforce.
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(c) The potential effects a Florida public employee
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childcare assistance program would have on the state’s school
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readiness program, childcare workforce, and childcare regulation
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and licensing.
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(2) In conducting the study, OPPAGA must consult with the
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Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning overseeing
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the school readiness program, the Department of Children and
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Families childcare licensing office, the Florida Chamber of
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Commerce, and any other entity OPPAGA deems relevant to carry
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out the objectives of the study.
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(3) By January 30, 2027, OPPAGA shall submit a report of
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its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President
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of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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The report must include potential options for establishing a
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Florida public employee childcare assistance program that
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enhances school readiness, advances the affordability of
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childcare, and supports the state’s workforce, all while
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containing costs to the state.
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(4) This section expires October 1, 2027.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.