Legislative committee approves LOFT rapid response review into DHS childcare subsidy processes

The Loft Oversight Committee voted unanimously to approve a LOFT rapid response evaluation into Department of Human Services verification and reimbursement practices for providers receiving childcare subsidies.

Committee chairs framed the request as a targeted oversight action prompted by allegations of irregularities in how supporting documents are scanned and counted, and said they wanted to ensure the state was not experiencing widespread fraud comparable to high‑profile cases elsewhere.

A motion to approve the rapid response review was moved, seconded and carried by roll call: the transcript records 11 ayes and 0 nays under joint rule 9.6. Committee members asked that LOFT proceed quickly and report findings to the committee so the legislature can determine whether policy or administrative changes are needed.

The committee did not specify a public deadline in the motion text on the record, but LOFT has planned the rapid response evaluation as a near‑term task and the committee clerk recorded the action for follow up. The motion’s outcome requires LOFT to investigate the processes described and report back to the oversight committee with findings and recommended next steps.