relative to the child care scholarship program.

SB 243 modifies New Hampshire's child care scholarship program by establishing rules for a temporary pilot program. It allows the Department of Health and Human Services to temporarily suspend the pilot if an active waitlist exists (per administrative code) and requires reinstatement when the waitlist ends. The bill also mandates a detailed report by May 2028 to the legislature, covering program usage, costs, funding needs, and improvements. Additionally, it directs the department to study and simplify the application process by November 2026 to reduce unnecessary paperwork for families seeking child care scholarships. This bill directly affects low-income families applying for child care assistance and providers participating in the scholarship program.