Legislative Management voted to authorize a Legislative Council program evaluation of child‑care programs on May 20, directing staff to use newly authorized program‑evaluation resources to examine licensing, reimbursement, provider participation and take‑up of child‑care assistance.

Senator Hogan, who sponsored the concept during the session, described the measure as an initial program evaluation to take a system‑wide look at child‑care delivery. He said the state had moved significant policy and funding in recent sessions but that data gaps remained: "Child‑care assistance, for example, only 20% of the eligible children are receiving benefits," Hogan said, arguing that executives and employers needed better information about program implementation and barriers to access.

Representative Warri moved the adoption and argued program evaluation would help inform policy choices on reimbursement levels and licensing; Representative Bosch and others flagged provider concerns, noting the earlier legislation had been large and complex and some providers felt implementation differed from legislative intent. Senators and representatives emphasized coordination with providers, employers and Human Services staff.

Legislative Council staff confirmed this would be the first program evaluation conducted under newly authorized legislative evaluation staff and that the evaluation would be scoped to identify whether policy and funding changes taken during the last sessions achieved intended results and where changes in licensing, reimbursement, or outreach are warranted. The motion to adopt the program evaluation passed by voice vote.

The study language directs Legislative Council to determine scope and, if possible, to sample system outcomes and barriers to access; it does not appropriate new funds at the May 20 meeting but asks staff to prepare a work plan and timeline for the interim.