An Act to amend 49.175 (1) (p) and 49.175 (1) (q); to create 49.155 (5) (ag) and 49.155 (5) (ar) of the statutes; Relating to: Wisconsin Shares copayment amounts and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
AB1015 would change Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy rules by capping family copayments at 7 percent of gross family income and eliminating copayments entirely for families below 150 percent of the federal poverty line. The bill applies to the child care assistance program administered by the Department of Children and Families and is aimed at lowering out-of-pocket child care costs for eligible low-income families participating in Wisconsin Works (W-2) and related subsidy programs.
In addition to the copayment changes, the bill increases state funding for Wisconsin Shares by $22.93 million in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. It also amends the statutory appropriations for direct child care services and child care administration/licensing to reflect the higher funding levels. In practical terms, the bill would expand the resources available for child care subsidies and program administration while limiting how much participating families can be charged.
Impact
AB1015 would amend Wisconsin statutes governing child care subsidies under s. 49.155 and related appropriations under s. 49.175. It would create new statutory protections for families by setting a maximum copayment threshold and exempting the lowest-income families from copays, while also increasing the Department of Children and Families’ appropriation for child care subsidy payments and administration. The bill would therefore affect subsidy recipients, child care providers relying on Wisconsin Shares payments, and DCF’s budget and program operations.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge detailed sentiment. Based on the bill’s content and sponsorship, the measure appears to have been introduced as a supportive child care affordability proposal, with a clear emphasis on reducing costs for low-income working families and increasing program funding. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not secure final legislative approval.
Contention
The main policy tension in AB1015 is fiscal: supporters would likely view the bill as a needed affordability measure for families struggling with child care costs, while opponents or budget-conscious lawmakers may object to the added state spending and the reduced copayment revenue. Another point of contention is whether capping copays at 7 percent and eliminating them for families under 150 percent of poverty could increase program demand or strain the child care subsidy system. Because there are no transcripts or votes provided, specific arguments by named legislators or stakeholders are not available.
Crossfiled
An Act to amend 49.175 (1) (p) and 49.175 (1) (q); to create 49.155 (5) (ag) and 49.155 (5) (ar) of the statutes; Relating to: Wisconsin Shares copayment amounts and making an appropriation. (FE)