Committee hears broad changes to childcare and early-learning programs, including delays to ECAP entitlement and Working Connections expansions

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 57-52 would make multiple changes to early-learning and childcare programs. Major provisions discussed in committee testimony include a four-year delay to the ECAP entitlement expansion, an earlier effective date for some eligibility increases, delays to Working Connections eligibility expansions, changes to co-pay schedules, and moving several provider supports to be subject to appropriation.

Omera Harrington, staff counsel, summarized ECAP (the state's no-cost preschool and family-services program) and described three ECAP-related changes in the bill: (1) delay the date ECAP becomes an entitlement for eligible children by four years to the 2030-31 school year; (2) move some eligibility increases (including a 36% SMI threshold) to take effect on 07/01/2025 rather than 07/01/2026; and (3) remove a provision that allowed…