Amends TCA Title 71.

Present law requires the department of human services to annually perform a market rate study of day care rates and, from the market rate study, determine an amount to be paid as reimbursement on behalf of low-income families, for the provision of child or infant care by a day care center, family day care home, or group day care home. This bill authorizes the department to utilize an alternative methodology, including cost-of-quality studies and cost estimation models, to determine the reimbursement rate. ON APRIL 1, 2021, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1104, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 adds authorization for the department of human services to take actions necessary to support the development of shared services alliances and family child care networks to improve the quality of child care in this state, give child care providers access to innovative child care business resource platforms, and provide a means of cost savings to child care providers through negotiated discounts. The amendment authorizes the department to contract with one or more entities as necessary to implement this provision.