Creating Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program

SB 811 creates a pilot program providing financial subsidies to eligible child care workers in West Virginia to help cover their own child care costs. The subsidy covers 50% to 100% of eligible workers’ child care expenses, with eligibility based on employment hours and household income, as defined by rules to be established by the Department of Human Services by December 2025. The program runs from 2026 through 2028, requiring annual reports on participation, funds disbursed, worker retention, and feedback, plus a final evaluation to inform future decisions. Funding will come from state appropriations, federal grants, or other sources.