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AB-318 • 2026

Child daycare: application: fees.

Child daycare: application: fees.

Children
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Alanis
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide a specific effective date beyond the start dates mentioned in the bill text.

Child Daycare: Application Fees

This law changes how daycare centers pay application and license fees in California, allowing checks or credit cards starting from specific dates.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows daycare facilities to use checks or credit cards to pay initial application fees.
  • Requires the state department to accept electronic applications for licensure no later than January 1, 2028.
  • Requires the state department to start accepting credit card payments for both initial application and license fees from daycare centers starting January 1, 2028.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Child daycare facilities
  • The State Department of Social Services

Terms To Know

bona fide business or personal check
A real and valid check from a business or individual.
electronic applications
Applications submitted online instead of on paper.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if a daycare facility cannot use checks or credit cards.
  • The exact date for accepting credit card payments is January 1, 2028.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.

  5. 2025-03-27 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.

  6. 2025-02-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HUM. S.

  7. 2025-01-27 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  8. 2025-01-25 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 24.

  9. 2025-01-24 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 318, as amended, Alanis.
Child daycare: application: fees.
Under existing law, the California Child Day Care Facilities Act, the State Department of Social Services licenses and regulates family daycare homes. Existing law requires the department to charge an applicant for licensure under the act an initial application fee and an annual license fee and authorizes a child daycare facility to use a bona fide business or personal check to pay the annual license fee.
This bill would also authorize a child daycare facility to use a bona fide business or personal check to pay the initial application fee and, beginning January 1,
2027,
2028,
require the department to accept credit card payments for initial application
fees and license fees from child daycare facilities. The bill would also require the department, beginning no later than January 1,
2027,
2028,
to accept initial applications for licensure electronically.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF