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No. 76 Page 16 of 74 2023

VT LEG #371318 v.1 than or equal to 175 percent of the current federal poverty guidelines shall not have a family co-payment. Families with an annual gross income up to and including 400 575 percent of current federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size, shall be eligible for a subsidy authorized by the subsection. The scale shall be structured so that it encourages employment. If the federal poverty guidelines decrease in a given year, the Division shall maintain the previous year’s federal poverty guidelines for the purpose of determining eligibility and benefit amount under this subsection. * * * Sec. 5d. FISCAL YEAR 2024; FAMILY CONTRIBUTION In fiscal year 2024, a weekly family contribution for participants in the Child Care Financial Assistance Program established in 33 V.S.A. §§ 3512 and 3513 shall begin at $50.00 for families at 176 percent of the federal poverty level and increase for families at a higher percentage of the federal poverty level as determined by the Department. Sec. 6. PROVIDER RATE ADJUSTMENT; CHILD CARE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that: (1) the provider rate adjustment recommended in this section shall be an initial step toward implementing a professional pay scale; and (2) programs use funds to elevate quality through higher compensation for staff, curriculum implementation, staff professional development, and