(a)  The department of human services shall be the principal agency of the state for the planning and coordination of state involvement in the area of child care. To accomplish this purpose, the department’s duties shall include submitting an annual report to the governor and the general assembly on the status of child care in Rhode Island.

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(b)  The annual report of the department shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1)  The amount of state and federal funds spent on child care in each of the two (2) preceding years;

(2)  The number of childcare providers licensed;

(3)  The number of children served in state-subsidized programs;

(4)  The number of taxpayers who have claimed the child care assistance and development tax credit pursuant to chapter 47 of Title 44;

(5)  The average cost for both infant and preschool child care;

(6)  An estimate of unmet needs for child care;

(7)  Information on childcare staff salaries and training and education programs; and

(8)  Recommendations for any changes in childcare public policy.

(c)  [Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 14].

(d)  The department is hereby charged with the responsibility of ensuring that a statewide childcare resource and referral system exists in this state to provide services and consumer information to assist parents in locating and choosing licensed, approved and/or certified providers, and to maintain data necessary for such referrals.