Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-737

EDU 737

Operational grants to childcare providers

Mr. Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 3000-1045, by adding the following "; provided, further annually by December 31 the department of early education and care shall aggregate the date collected under this item and submit said data to the clerks of the house and senate and the joint committee on education; provided further, that in fiscal year 2027 the department shall review and update the operational grant distribution formula established under section 20 of chapter 15D to ensure that equity-related adjustments are based on the socioeconomic characteristics of the municipality in which the provider is located and the aggregate demographics of the children enrolled, and do not rely on regional or proximity-based indicators that classify higher-income communities as high-need due solely to their geographic proximity to lower-income communities; provided further, that the department shall establish minimum thresholds of enrollment of high-need children for providers located in higher-income communities to qualify for equity-related adjustments; and provided further, that the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education not later than March 1, 2027, detailing the formula revisions and their expected impact on geographic and socioeconomic equity.