The department shall create and maintain an estimator tool in accordance with this section to calculate the actual cost of quality child care.

1. 1. Considerations In developing the costs estimator tool, the department shall consider:

   1. A. Including a living wage compensation scale for early childhood educators;

      [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

   2. B. Including employee salaries and benefits;

      [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

   3. C. Including facility costs;

      [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

   4. D. Including costs associated with compliance with statutory and rule requirements, including the child care quality rating system under section 3737, subsection 3 and specific costs associated with each step of the rating system and any quality indicators used;

      [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

   5. E. Differentiating rates by child age and geographic region; and

      [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

   6. F. Using data and research from available studies and reports.

      [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

   [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

2. 2. Accessibility The estimator tool must be publicly accessible. The department's process for making changes to the tool must be transparent to the public.

   [PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).]

PL 2023, c. 412, Pt. VVV, §7 (NEW).