Modernizing reimbursement rates for the working connections child care program.

The legislative intent was changed from immediately updating reimbursement rates to defining the methodology for a biennial cost of quality child care study.

The requirement to achieve the 85th percentile of market rates was replaced with a mandate to use a specific cost estimation model developed by the Early Educator Design Team.

The cost study must now explicitly include fixed costs for living wages, benefits, family engagement, planning release time, educational materials, and professional development.

References to the 'Fair Start for Kids Act' of 2021 and previous provisions regarding the 85th percentile market rate were removed.

The specific instruction to build upon the work of the child care collaborative task force was removed.

A new timeline was established requiring the department to publish the cost of quality child care study by June 1st of every even-numbered year.

An exemption was added stating that the act does not apply to collective bargaining agreements negotiated until July 1, 2027.

New definitions were added to distinguish between a 'cost of quality child care study' and a 'cost of quality child care study as defined by the early educator design team'.