Introduced February 2, 2026
AN ACT relating to child care and declaring an emergency.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 199 related to the quality-based graduated early care and education rating system program to establish the intent of the General Assembly related to the program; establish processes and procedures for how the program is changed by administrative regulation; require a program modernization plan and final recommendations for modernization to be created and submitted to the Legislative Research Commission; amend KRS 199.891 to define terms; create new requirements for…
In effect since April 14, 2026
This act carries an emergency clause, so it took effect as soon as it became law instead of waiting the usual 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).
Plain-language summary
This bill makes several changes to how Kentucky regulates, funds, and reports on child care services. It creates a new licensing category for small child-care microcenters, updates how the state rates and certifies child care programs, and requires a private third-party administrator to manage an existing program that helps employees and employers pay for child care. It also sets new requirements for public reporting on child care spending, available services, and training for child care…
Open official bill text (PDF)·Report a problem with the summary
Legislative History
Primary Sponsor
Samara Heavrin
Representative · House District 018
Co-sponsors (26)
Robert Duvall
Representative · House District 017
Ryan Bivens
Representative · House District 024
Joshua Branscum
Representative · House District 083
Steve Bratcher
Representative · House District 025
George Brown
Representative · House District 077
Beverly Chester-Burton
Representative · House District 044
Mike Clines
Representative · House District 068
Stephanie Dietz
Representative · House District 065
Daniel Grossberg
Representative · House District 030
Vanessa Grossl
Representative · House District 088
Tony Hampton
Representative · House District 062
Kevin Jackson
Representative · House District 020
DJ Johnson
Representative · House District 013
William Lawrence
Representative · House District 070
Scott Lewis
Representative · House District 014
Shawn McPherson
Representative · House District 022
David Meade
Representative · House District 080
Kimberly Moser
Representative · House District 064
Amy Neighbors
Representative · House District 021
Jason Nemes
Representative · House District 033
David Osborne
Representative · House District 059
J.T. Payne
Representative · House District 011
Michael Pollock
Representative · House District 051
Walker Thomas
Representative · House District 008
Wade Williams
Representative · House District 004
Susan Tyler Witten
Representative · House District 031
Something wrong on this page? Tell us
