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Relating to establishing reimbursement rates for certain child-care providers participating in the subsidized child-care program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1695 would require each local workforce board to establish and implement a graduated reimbursement rate system for child-care providers in that region based upon the child-to-caregiver ratio and group size for each provider. Facilities with the lowest child-to-caregiver ratios would receive the highest reimbursement rate.
HB 1695 would require the Health and Human Services Commission to examine and implement new strategies to the Texas Rising Star Program to adjust for these new graduated reimbursement rates.
HB 1695 would make child-to-caregiver ratios the most important factor that child-care providers seek to ensure. Benefiting larger organizations that have the resources and capacity to ensure they are reimbursed at the highest rates, while ignoring other aspects of the services they provide to the children and their families.
HB 1695 therefore violates the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, private property, the free market and limited government. Texas Action opposes HB 1695.