# Childcare Access Laws by State 2026 | USLege > A 4-way tie leads on childcare-access legislative momentum; Wyoming trails. See every state's 0-100 score, built from live USLege bill data. Canonical: https://www.uslege.ai/reports/childcare-access --- Reports · 2025-2026 sessions # Which states are moving fastest on childcare access? California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Mexico show the most childcare-access legislative momentum, each scoring 90 out of 100 on active subsidy, pre-K, funding, and provider-support bills; Wyoming shows the least, at 24. This is a legislative-momentum index, measuring how much a legislature is pushing on childcare access right now, not a measure of law currently in force. Here's the score for all 49 states USLege found bill activity in, built from live bill-tracking data. ![Laura Davis](/assets/headshots/laura-davis-founder.avif) By [Laura Davis](https://lauraluisedavis.com/), Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer at USLege. **Methodology:** each state is scored 0-100 across five weighted factors: active, comprehensive childcare legislation in the session window (25 pts), access expansion via subsidy eligibility and universal or publicly funded pre-K (20), funding and appropriations for childcare (20), provider and workforce support and facility incentives (20), and breadth across infant through pre-K, low-income, rural, and employer-based programs (15), using 233 bills USLege's database returned for the topic across the 2025-2026 sessions. This is a legislative-momentum index: introduced, advancing, failed, and vetoed bills all contribute, so it does not describe childcare law in force. Bill data is live from USLege as of August 2026; Nevada, which is not in the USLege bill database, is sourced instead from state legislative databases and agency sources. Montana has no indexed session childcare bills and is shown gray, unscored, rather than assigned a low score. Every state legislature has some bill activity touching childcare, but how much of it is actually pushing to expand access (more subsidy eligibility, more pre-K seats, more funding, more provider support) varies enormously. This report scores 49 states on that legislative momentum, then shows the actual bills and sponsors behind each score session by session, not just a policy summary, but who is pushing to expand or restrict childcare access right now. 49 states scored 233 bills analyzed 24–90 score range California most momentum Lower Higher No data ## Top 12 states on childcare-access momentum #1 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #1 ## California Most friendly 90/100 California is the most active pro-access state in the group by a wide margin, with a dense, enacted body of childcare-access law in the 2025-26 session. AB 150 (Enacted, Ch. 25/2026) and its budget vehicle SB 150 overhaul early-care eligibility, treat initial income eligibility as continuing, add reimbursable absences, and require full voucher reimbursement without family-fee deductions. SB 151 (Enacted, Ch. 108/2025) and AB 151 ratify the Child Care Providers United agreement, extend cost-of-care-plus rates, and appropriate one-time provider/stabilization payments. AB 1981 (Aguiar-Curry, advancing) mandates a cost-based subsidized-childcare reimbursement-rate methodology, and AB 753 (Enacted, Ch. 165/2025) creates an assistant-teacher permit to ease the workforce shortage. SB 1051 (Menjivar, to third reading) extends the Emergency Child Care Bridge to foster children. Dozens of Democratic coauthors span both chambers. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)23/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)18/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare18/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives18/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Cecilia M. Aguiar-Curry D AB 1981 Primary author of the subsidized-childcare cost-based reimbursement-rate reform. Robert Garcia D AB 753 Author of the enacted assistant-teacher permit expanding the childcare workforce pipeline. Caroline Menjivar D SB 1051 Primary author expanding Emergency Child Care Bridge access for foster children. Mia Bonta D AB 2092 Author of the Early Childhood Integrated Data System to drive access/equity improvements. Josh Becker D SB 1110 Author of early-learning reimbursement-rate reform strengthening provider payments. Jesse Gabriel D AB 151 Budget chair; author of the childcare-provider agreement/cost-of-care-plus rate vehicle (AB 151). ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** California is the benchmark and the template: enacted rate reform, continuous eligibility, provider-workforce pay agreements, and facility/workforce pipelines make it the most complete set of proven statutory models for states moving toward universal childcare. ### Bills AB 150Early care and educationEnabling Revises state preschool and subsidized childcare eligibility, priority, fee-collection, reimbursement, and contractor-funding rules: adds LEA-employee access, treats initial income eligibility as continuing, adds reimbursable excused absences, requires full certificate/voucher reimbursement without deducting family fees, creates cost-of-care-plus rates, and adds disaster infrastructure grants. **Sponsor:** Assembly Budget Committee**Status:** Enacted: Chapter 25, Statutes of 2026**Category:** Comprehensive access reform [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2016993) SB 151Early childhood education and childcareEnabling Extends maximum-hours-based reimbursement for subsidized childcare/preschool through July 1, 2028, indefinitely extends monthly cost-of-care-plus supplemental payments to family childcare providers and centers, establishes one-time provider payments, and ratifies the 2025 Child Care Providers United-California agreement with funding for training, health care, and retirement. **Sponsor:** Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee**Status:** Enacted: Chapter 108, Statutes of 2025**Category:** Provider rates / workforce agreement [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2018693) AB 1981Subsidized childcare: reimbursement rates: reportingEnabling Implements an alternative cost-of-care methodology for subsidized childcare reimbursement rates, directing DSS to set geographically and age-varied rates with enhancements for extended hours, special needs, and transportation, ensuring rates do not fall below prior levels, with reporting and legislative oversight. **Sponsor:** Cecilia M. Aguiar-Curry (D)**Status:** Advancing: re-referred to Appropriations (2026)**Category:** Reimbursement-rate reform [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3848479) AB 753Childcare: facility licensure: teacher requirementsEnabling Creates an assistant teacher permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to address the early-learning/childcare staffing shortage, with qualifications, supervision requirements, site/classroom caps, and data collection; temporary and sunsetting by 2029. **Sponsor:** Robert Garcia (D)**Status:** Enacted: Chapter 165, Statutes of 2025**Category:** Workforce / provider pipeline [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2017647) SB 1051Foster care: childcareEnabling Enhances childcare support for foster children by improving coordination between childcare navigators and county welfare departments and authorizing navigators to refer foster children for eligibility under the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program to stabilize placements. **Sponsor:** Caroline Menjivar (D)**Status:** Advancing: ordered to third reading (2026)**Category:** Targeted access (foster) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3847624) SB 1110Early learning and care: ratesEnabling Revises reimbursement structures and cost definitions for early learning and care, expanding reimbursements for alternative payment programs to include direct program and support costs, limiting indirect administrative costs, and adjusting reimbursement based on certified enrollment. **Sponsor:** Josh Becker (D)**Status:** Held in committee under submission (2026)**Category:** Provider reimbursement [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3849888) AB 2092Early Childhood Integrated Data SystemEnabling Establishes an Early Childhood Integrated Data System under DSS linking data across programs serving children birth to five, with an interagency task force and annual reporting, to improve access, quality, equity, and program evaluation. **Sponsor:** Mia Bonta (D)**Status:** Held under submission (2026)**Category:** Data / program infrastructure [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3850633) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: CA: AB 2092: Bonta on childcare access (early learning data system)](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/62c2a884-5e9f-4827-ab20-7a9d8174f35a)▶ CA: AB 2092: Bonta on childcare access (early learning data system) Asm. Mia Bonta (D), author of AB 2092 · 6412-6455 “By establishing a clear legal framework for data sharing, AB 2092 strengthens California's ability to expand equitable access to high quality early learning and care programs for the state's youngest children.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/62c2a884-5e9f-4827-ab20-7a9d8174f35a?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #2 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #2 ## Colorado Most friendly 90/100 Colorado is a national childcare leader with a busy, enacted 2026 slate. SB 26-019 (signed) consolidates and modernizes the local early-childhood councils system built atop the state's universal pre-K program; HB 26-1004 (signed) permanently extends the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit through 2038; and SB 26-080 (signed) creates the Cradle to Career Grant Program coordinating early education, health and workforce supports for children in poverty. SB 26-135 (passed) also earmarks new K-12/early-education revenue. Multiple pro-access bills reached the Governor's desk, anchoring a very high score. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)24/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)18/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare18/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives17/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Matt Ball D SB 19 Prime sponsor of the enacted early-childhood system consolidation modernizing CO's universal pre-K delivery. Julie McCluskie D · Dist. 13 HB 1004 Prime sponsor (House Speaker) of the enacted extension of the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit. James Coleman D SB 80 Prime sponsor of the enacted Cradle to Career Grant Program linking early education and family supports. Jarvis Caldwell R HB 1004 Republican prime co-sponsor of the childcare tax credit continuation: a bipartisan access ally. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Colorado is a leading model: a state with an operating universal pre-K regime that keeps layering in funding mechanisms (tax credit, cradle-to-career grants) with consistent legislative sponsorship. ### Bills SB 19Early Childhood Local System ConsolidationEnabling Reforms Colorado's early childhood services infrastructure, transferring responsibilities to a statewide system of early childhood councils by July 1, 2026, expanding council duties to develop community strategic plans and accountability metrics for quality, coordination, and accessibility of early childhood and family support services. **Sponsor:** Matt Ball (D)**Status:** Governor Signed (2026-05-05)**Category:** Early childhood system [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3805602) HB 1004Continuation of Child Care Contribution Tax CreditEnabling Continues the 50% income tax credit for monetary contributions promoting child care in Colorado through January 1, 2038, and directs the Department of Revenue to improve the credit's effectiveness and equity, including potential inclusion of in-kind property donations. **Sponsor:** Julie McCluskie (D–13)**Status:** Governor Signed (2026-05-28)**Category:** Childcare tax credit [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3805258) SB 80Cradle to Career Grant Program CreationEnabling Establishes the Cradle to Career Grant Program to fund community-based programs improving economic mobility for children, youth, and families in poverty-concentrated areas, connecting them to high-quality educational, health, social, and workforce opportunities, with an advisory council and performance reporting. **Sponsor:** James Coleman (D)**Status:** Governor Signed (2026-06-04)**Category:** Coordinated grant program [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3840913) SB 135State Public K-12 Education FundingMixed-Monitor Increases state K-12 public education funding by 2% annually for ten years by retaining additional revenue for public education (including early education), creating a children's account and requiring annual audits; referred to voters as a revenue change without raising taxes. **Sponsor:** Jeff Bridges (D)**Status:** Passed both chambers (signed by leadership 2026-05-20)**Category:** Education funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3861334) ### Hearing clips Colorado had a bipartisan supportive moment on HB 1004, but all Colorado legislative video is copyright-restricted from clipping. #3 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #3 ## Massachusetts Most friendly 90/100 Massachusetts remains a national childcare leader. The enacted FY2027 General Appropriation (H 5555, laid before the Governor July 2026, and its Senate/House versions S 4 / H 5501) carries substantial Department of Early Education and Care funding, sustaining the C3 operational-grant model and subsidized early education. Standalone measures push employer-supported care (SD 3243 / HD 5248, the 'Enhance Early Education and Care Benefits' pilot with a $2.5M matching grant) and a 10-year anti-poverty roadmap (SD 3122) that centers childcare access. The volume, funding scale, and active movement toward affordable/universal care put MA near the top. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)23/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)18/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare19/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives17/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window No sponsor-derived allies in the current slate. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Massachusetts is the strongest playbook in this cohort: a sustained public-funding vehicle (C3), an employer cost-share pilot, and legislative infrastructure that together demonstrate publicly-funded, affordable early education can be politically durable and scalable. ### Bills H 5555FY2027 General Appropriation ActEnabling Omnibus FY2027 state appropriations covering health, education, and community supports; includes Department of Early Education and Care funding that sustains subsidized early education and the C3 operational-grant program alongside workforce development and family supports. **Sponsor:** House Committee on Ways and Means (FY27 General Appropriation) (D–Committee)**Status:** Laid before the Governor (2026-07-01)**Category:** Budget / EEC funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3888114) SD 3243Best Practices: Enhance Early Education and Care BenefitsEnabling Directs a study and pilot to promote employer-supported early education and child care benefits, identify best practices and incentives, foster public-private partnerships, and pilot grants to expand affordable, high-quality childcare capacity and workforce participation. **Sponsor:** Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (D–Agency filing)**Status:** Placed on file (report, 2025-10-02)**Category:** Employer-supported childcare [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3840137) HD 5248Enhance Early Education and Care Benefits (report / $2.5M pilot)Enabling Establishes a $2.5M competitive matching-grant pilot to help employers provide accessible, affordable, high-quality early education and childcare benefits, aiming to expand capacity and family affordability through public-private partnerships. **Sponsor:** Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (D–Agency filing)**Status:** Placed on file (2025-10-20)**Category:** Employer-supported childcare [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3840200) SD 3122Final Report of the Special Legislative Commission to Study PovertyEnabling Presents a 10-year roadmap to cut Massachusetts poverty by 2035, centering expanded access to essential supports including affordable childcare and early education as a pillar of economic mobility. **Sponsor:** Special Commission on Poverty in the Commonwealth (D–Commission)**Status:** Placed on file (2025-08-14)**Category:** Anti-poverty roadmap [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3839934) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: MA: H 5555: House on childcare access (C3 early child care grants, FY27)](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/ad851186-eeb7-4a81-8a80-62a46b6e0a0d)▶ MA: H 5555: House on childcare access (C3 early child care grants, FY27) House Ways & Means (D), presenting FY2027 budget conference report (H 5555) · 5528-5580 “Some of the highlights for the fair share include, in the education side, $360 million for C3 early child care grants, making it a total of $475 million going towards this critical program in the FY2027 budget.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/ad851186-eeb7-4a81-8a80-62a46b6e0a0d?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #4 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #4 ## New Mexico Most friendly 90/100 New Mexico is a national leader on childcare access, anchored by the constitutional Early Childhood Education and Care Fund. In 2026 the legislature enacted SB 241, the Child Care Assistance Program Act (signed by the Governor, Chapter 63), codifying state-funded assistance with tiered provider rates and copay/waitlist controls. That builds on 2025's SB 58 (Childcare Facility Licensing Act) and HB 71 (enacted, Chapter 26), plus 2026 HB 269 adding fund-use transparency. HB 304 (a GOP alternative offering cash payments to families outside state programs) shows the debate is over how to expand, not whether. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)24/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)18/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare17/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives16/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)15/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window George Muñoz D · Dist. 4 SB 241 Sponsored the enacted Child Care Assistance Program Act codifying state-funded subsidies. Michael Padilla D · Dist. 14 SB 58 Sponsored Childcare Facility Licensing Act expanding pre-K standards and access. Doreen Y. Gallegos D · Dist. 52 HB 71 Sponsored enacted early-childhood measure (Chapter 26). D. Wonda Johnson D · Dist. 5 HB 71 Co-sponsored enacted early-childhood measure. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** New Mexico is the template for sustainable financing: a dedicated constitutional funding stream plus a codified assistance program demonstrate that a state can durably fund near-universal access. ### Bills SB 241Child Care Assistance Program ActEnabling Establishes the Child Care Assistance Program Act to provide state-funded child care assistance to eligible families, administered by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. Creates eligibility policies, quality-tiered payment rates to facilities, fiscal controls (copayments, waitlists), facility reporting/quality requirements including early intervention, oversight mechanisms, funding from the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund, and annual legislative reporting. **Sponsor:** George Muñoz (D–4)**Status:** Signed by Governor - Chapter 63 (Mar. 10, 2026)**Category:** Subsidy / assistance program [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3834600) SB 58Childcare Facility Licensing ActEnabling Reforms New Mexico's early childhood system by exempting child care procurement for eligible families from the procurement code, setting standards and priorities for early pre-K and pre-K programs, updating definitions, setting eligibility/application requirements, and mandating quality oversight, performance measurement, and quality rating systems. **Sponsor:** Michael Padilla (D–14)**Status:** Passed Senate 30-0; sent to House Judiciary (2025)**Category:** Pre-K / program standards [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2218894) HB 71Early Childhood / Child Care measureEnabling Enacted early-childhood measure advancing child care/early education provisions; passed House 66-3 and Senate 35-0 before being signed into law, reflecting broad bipartisan support for expanding early childhood services. **Sponsor:** Doreen Y. Gallegos (D–52)**Status:** Signed by Governor - Chapter 26 (Apr. 7, 2025)**Category:** Early childhood [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2214047) HB 269Childcare Program Use of FundsMixed-Monitor Restricts how Early Childhood Education and Care Department funds may be used by licensed child care programs, prohibiting fees/executive compensation to parent companies or investment firms, disallowing certain investor transactions, and mandating annual legislative reporting to increase transparency. **Sponsor:** Linda Serrato (D–45)**Status:** Not Printed / Postponed Indefinitely (2026)**Category:** Funding transparency [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833239) HB 304Payments for Child Care or Pre-KMixed-Monitor Establishes a state program of monthly payments to parents/guardians of children not enrolled in a state-funded child care or pre-K program, varying by age group, with application/eligibility requirements managed by the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. **Sponsor:** Mark Duncan (R–2)**Status:** Not Printed / Postponed Indefinitely (2026)**Category:** Family cash payments [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3834542) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: NM: SB 241: Barraza on childcare access (Child Care Assistance Program Act)](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/7d52884e-87db-4d01-b205-5d23e4a327dc)▶ NM: SB 241: Barraza on childcare access (Child Care Assistance Program Act) Rosa Barraza, Exec. Dir., Early Care and Learning Association (witness in support of SB 241, sponsor Rep. Doreen Gallegos D) · 615-712 “Families in New Mexico cannot wait any longer for affordable, reliable child care... SB 241 helps remove that impossible choice by making childcare more accessible and predictable. This bill is about dignity for working families.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/7d52884e-87db-4d01-b205-5d23e4a327dc?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #5 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #5 ## Illinois Most friendly 88/100 Illinois is the clear leader in this group, building on Gov. Pritzker's Smart Start framework. SB 3202 / HB 4791 expand the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program to Head Start and Early Head Start, HB 2420 defines Smart Start Workforce Grants tied to subsidy/IEP/EL enrollment, SB 3216 creates a refundable income-tax credit for early-childhood educators, and the FY27 budget (HB 2949) funds the new Department of Early Childhood. Governance and licensing modernization (HB 5204 Early Learning Council prenatal-to-5, HB 3595) round out a deep, still-advancing agenda. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)23/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)18/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives18/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)14/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Maura Hirschauer D · Dist. 49 HB 4791 Lead sponsor of Smart Start workforce compensation expansion (HB 4791) and workforce grants (HB 2420). Graciela Guzmán D · Dist. 20 SB 3202 Senate sponsor extending Smart Start wage program to Head Start/Early Head Start. Lakesia Collins D · Dist. 5 SB 3202 Filed SB 3202 and SB 2984 (Early Learning Council prenatal-5 expansion); leading Senate childcare voice. Joyce Mason D · Dist. 61 HB 5204 Sponsored prenatal-to-5 Early Learning Council (HB 5204) and Child Care Act modernization (HB 3595). Sue Rezin R · Dist. 38 SB 3216 Republican sponsor of refundable tax credit for early-childhood educators: bipartisan access support. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Illinois offers one of the strongest playbooks in this cohort: a standalone Department of Early Childhood, recurring workforce-compensation funding, and refundable educator tax credits: an enacted, scalable model. ### Bills SB 3202Smart Start Grants - Head StartEnabling Amends the Smart Start Illinois Act to expand Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program eligibility to Head Start and Early Head Start programs, raising educator wages and supporting quality improvements, administered annually by DHS independent of other child care assistance programs. **Sponsor:** Graciela Guzmán (D–20)**Status:** Active; co-sponsors added (2026)**Category:** Workforce compensation / subsidy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833678) HB 4791Smart Start Grants - Head StartEnabling House companion expanding the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program to include Head Start and Early Head Start to stabilize providers, raise educator wages, and improve quality, with funds required to supplement not supplant existing programs. **Sponsor:** Maura Hirschauer (D–49)**Status:** Active; alternate co-sponsors added (2026)**Category:** Workforce compensation / subsidy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833613) HB 2420Smart Start Workforce GrantEnabling Amends the Smart Start Illinois Act to set eligibility criteria for Smart Start Workforce Grants to licensed child care providers, tying support to enrollment metrics including subsidy-funded children, children with IEPs, and English learners, with annual DHS administration and wage enhancements. **Sponsor:** Maura Hirschauer (D–49)**Status:** Re-referred to Rules (2026)**Category:** Subsidy / provider support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2282540) SB 3216Income Tax - Early ChildhoodEnabling Creates a refundable income-tax credit for early childhood teachers and assistants at child care centers earning $75,000 or less, starting at $1,000 for tax year 2026 and adjusted annually for inflation, with excess amounts refundable. **Sponsor:** Sue Rezin (R–38)**Status:** Re-referred to Assignments (2026)**Category:** Workforce incentive (tax credit) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833735) HB 5204Early Learning Council (prenatal-to-5)Enabling Revises the Early Learning Council to cover prenatal-to-age-5 programs, changes appointing/chair structure, adds a conflict-of-interest section, and requires the new Department of Early Childhood to staff the Council and share in its annual reporting. **Sponsor:** Joyce Mason (D–61)**Status:** Sent to the Governor (2026)**Category:** Governance / coordination [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3837694) HB 2949FY27 Budget ImplementationEnabling FY27 budget implementation bill that, among broad fiscal changes, creates new Department of Early Childhood fund authority and early-childhood administration provisions, operationalizing the state's standalone early-childhood agency. **Sponsor:** Will Guzzardi (D–39)**Status:** Public Act 104-0466 (enacted 2026)**Category:** Funding / appropriations [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2283679) HB 3595Child Care Act modernization (early care & education)Mixed-Monitor Statewide update from 'day care'/'child care' to 'early care and education,' revising Child Care Act licensure-exempt categories, creating Recognized Alternative Provider registration, and shifting background-check authority to the Department of Early Childhood. **Sponsor:** Joyce Mason (D–61)**Status:** Public Act 104-0480 (enacted 2026)**Category:** Licensing modernization [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2283106) ### Hearing clips No ingested Illinois childcare hearing video surfaced for the tracked bills. #6 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #6 ## Minnesota Most friendly 88/100 Minnesota was among the most active states on childcare access. Big appropriations bills fund early-learning scholarships at ~$96.5M/year (HF 470 / SF 1049), fund early childhood learning and child-protection facilities via bonding (HF 2486), and stand up an online early-childhood educator credential program (HF 2872 / SF 3080). The FY2026 omnibus health/human-services/children bill (SF 4612, enacted as Chapter 127) recodifies childcare licensing chapters 142H/142I. Deep, bipartisan investment across subsidy, workforce, and facilities. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)22/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)18/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare19/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives16/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Erin Maye Quade D · Dist. 56 SF 1049 Lead sponsor of the $96.5M/year early-learning scholarships appropriation expanding subsidy access. Nolan West R · Dist. 32A HF 470 Sponsored the House early-learning scholarships funding bill: bipartisan subsidy support. Mary Franson R · Dist. 12B HF 2486 Sponsored bonding for early childhood learning facilities, expanding physical childcare capacity. Natalie Zeleznikar R · Dist. 03B HF 2872 Sponsored the free online early-childhood educator credential program building provider workforce. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Minnesota is a model of pairing subsidy dollars (early-learning scholarships) with provider-workforce pipelines: a two-sided strategy illustrating that affordability alone is insufficient without provider capacity. ### Bills HF 470Early learning scholarships fundingEnabling Appropriates $96,565,000 annually for FY2026 and FY2027 from the general fund to the early learning scholarships program (Minn. Stat. 142D.25) to expand early childhood education access. **Sponsor:** Nolan West (R–32A)**Status:** Introduced; authors added (2025-04-01)**Category:** Subsidy / scholarships [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3247229) SF 1049Early learning scholarships funding (Senate companion)Enabling Provides $96,565,000 for each of FY2026 and FY2027 for the early learning scholarships program administered by the commissioner of children, youth, and families, added to base funding to expand early-education access. **Sponsor:** Erin Maye Quade (D–56)**Status:** Introduced; authors added (2025-02-20)**Category:** Subsidy / scholarships [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3250203) HF 2486Early childhood learning and child protection facilities funding (bonds)Enabling Appropriates $3M in bond proceeds for grants to build, renovate, and equip early childhood learning and child protection facilities, authorizing state bonds to finance the appropriation. **Sponsor:** Mary Franson (R–12B)**Status:** Committee report, re-referred to Ways and Means (2025-05-07)**Category:** Facility funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3245213) HF 2872Online early childhood development professional educator programEnabling Appropriates $1.5M over two years for a free online early childhood development educator program leading to a child development associate credential, available to educators, residents, and high-school students in English and Spanish. **Sponsor:** Natalie Zeleznikar (R–03B)**Status:** Introduced, referred to Workforce/Economic Development (2025-03-26)**Category:** Provider / workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3244827) SF 4612Health, human services & children omnibus (Chapter 127)Mixed-Monitor Broad health/human-services/children-and-families omnibus that recodifies child care center and family child care licensing into new chapters 142H and 142I, with staff-to-child ratio, group-size, and family capacity tables, among many other provisions. **Sponsor:** Melissa H. Wiklund (D–50)**Status:** Chapter number 127: enacted (2026-05-26)**Category:** Omnibus / licensing recodification [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3865888) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: MN: HF 4343: Parent testimony on funding childcare access](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/7c3840f0-e990-48cf-9771-f4cc87778b20)▶ MN: HF 4343: Parent testimony on funding childcare access Parent / public witness (House Taxes Committee, 2026-03-25) · 4239-4390 “We should be publicly funding child care so that it's low cost or even no cost to families like mine, and so that the teachers can earn wages on par with K-twelve teachers... A budget is a moral document.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/7c3840f0-e990-48cf-9771-f4cc87778b20?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #7 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #7 ## New York Most friendly 88/100 New York's 2025-26 session is dense with ambitious pro-access childcare bills. Multiple universal-childcare vehicles are live: AB 5899 and SB 3415 (Universal Child Care Act, phased free-at-point-of-service rollout with a workforce pay-equity fund), plus the Early Learning Child Care Act (SB 1092 / AB 1333) creating a dedicated employer tax to fund early learning. Workforce compensation bills (AB 492, $1.2B pay-equity fund) and UPK full-funding mandates (SB 6126) round out a broad agenda, though most sit in committee rather than enacted. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)23/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)19/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives17/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)14/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Jabari Brisport D · Dist. 25 SB 3415 Senate sponsor of the Universal Child Care Act (phased free universal system). Andrew Hevesi D · Dist. 28 AB 5899 Assembly sponsor of Universal Child Care Act and $1.2B workforce pay-equity fund. Jessica Ramos D · Dist. 13 SB 1092 Sponsored Early Learning Child Care Act with dedicated funding stream. Sarah Clark D · Dist. 136 AB 1333 Sponsored Assembly Early Learning Child Care Act. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** New York offers the richest menu of legislative models for universal childcare: full statutory text for phased universal rollout, dedicated funding mechanisms, and workforce pay parity. ### Bills SB 3415Universal Child Care ActEnabling Establishes a universal, free-at-point-of-service child care system through a four-year phased rollout. Creates a Universal Child Care Taskforce, institutes a permanent Child Care Workforce Pay Equity Fund to raise educator wages, and launches a Universal Child Care Public Option Pilot with pay parity to public school teachers. **Sponsor:** Jabari Brisport (D–25)**Status:** Referred to Finance (2025)**Category:** Universal childcare [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2138855) AB 5899Universal Child Care ActEnabling Establishes a free, universal child care system statewide by creating an implementation taskforce, a permanent pay-equity fund for child care workers, and a universal child care public-option pilot; eliminates means-testing and ensures pay parity between child care educators and public school teachers. **Sponsor:** Andrew Hevesi (D–28)**Status:** Referred to Children and Families (2025)**Category:** Universal childcare [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2140550) SB 1092Early Learning Child Care ActEnabling Establishes a dedicated tax on employers and self-employed individuals to fund a statewide early learning child care program for children under five, providing financial assistance to qualified agencies, stabilization/expansion grants, workforce development, and a state child care board for oversight. **Sponsor:** Jessica Ramos (D–13)**Status:** Referred to Budget and Revenue (2025)**Category:** Subsidy funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2136806) AB 1333Early Learning Child Care ActEnabling Creates a dedicated payroll tax to fund subsidized quality early learning child care for children under five, with financial assistance to qualified agencies, salary minimums for child care workers, family eligibility procedures, stabilization/expansion grants, and an oversight Child Care Board. **Sponsor:** Sarah Clark (D–136)**Status:** Referred to Children and Families (2025)**Category:** Subsidy funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2126365) SB 6237Child Day Care Center Employee QualificationsEnabling Amends Social Services Law to set explicit educational and experiential qualifications for child day care center employees, specifying when no further experience is required for group teachers in preschool and infant/toddler classes, to standardize and enhance childcare quality. **Sponsor:** Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D–23)**Status:** Amended; print 6237A (2026)**Category:** Workforce standards [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2161651) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #8 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #8 ## Vermont Most friendly 85/100 Vermont remains the national leader on childcare access, building on 2023's Act 76: the landmark payroll-tax-funded expansion of the Child Care Financial Assistance Program and provider rates. The 2025-2026 biennium continues that trajectory through workforce professionalization: S.119 (Clarkson) and its successor S.206 (Lyons) create a licensure framework and a Board of Early Childhood Educators within the Office of Professional Regulation, appropriating hundreds of thousands in new OPR positions and directing $1.4M from the Child Care Financial Assistance Program toward licensure. All lead sponsors are Democrats and the bills are actively moving through committee. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)22/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives18/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Alison Clarkson D · Dist. Windsor S 119 Lead sponsor of early-childhood-educator licensure framework funded partly through the Child Care Financial Assistance Program. Virginia Lyons D · Dist. Chittenden Southeast S 206 Lead sponsor of the successor OPR licensure/workforce bill actively moving through committee. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Vermont is the gold-standard case study: a funded, near-universal subsidy regime (Act 76) plus active workforce-professionalization bills, with the Act 76 payroll-tax financing mechanism standing out as the single most citable funding template in the country. ### Bills S 206Licensure of early childhood educators by the Office of Professional RegulationEnabling Creates a Vermont Board of Early Childhood Educators within the Office of Professional Regulation and a licensing system for educators in Child Development Division-regulated programs (setting qualifications, renewal, fees, and transitional licenses) and appropriates $262,000 in FY2027 for two new OPR positions. **Sponsor:** Virginia Lyons (D–Chittenden Southeast)**Status:** Active; recommitted to House Human Services (4/30/2026)**Category:** Workforce professionalization [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3789914) S 119Licensure of early childhood educatorsEnabling Creates a licensure framework and new board for early childhood educators in Child Development Division-regulated programs, funding launch with new OPR positions ($262K FY2026, $628,867 FY2027) and directing $1.4M from the Child Care Financial Assistance Program to OPR in FY2027 for licensure and renewal fees. **Sponsor:** Alison Clarkson (D–Windsor)**Status:** Read 1st time & referred to Government Operations (3/13/2025)**Category:** Workforce professionalization / funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2322832) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: VT: S.206: Testimony on early childhood educator licensure to expand childcare access](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/88d8cc60-4c6d-4de1-8689-af662f4f3390)▶ VT: S.206: Testimony on early childhood educator licensure to expand childcare access Business/childcare advocate (VBSR) supporting S.206, House Government Operations (4/9/2026) · 214-300 “The bill will create individual licensure through Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation for more than 8,000 early childhood educators... ensures that all Vermont children have access to qualified early childhood educators, no matter the child care setting.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/88d8cc60-4c6d-4de1-8689-af662f4f3390?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #9 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #9 ## Connecticut Most friendly 84/100 Connecticut ran a very active 2026 childcare/early-education agenda. The enacted budget SB 1 carries child care and early childhood appropriations; HB 5002 (education funding, moved through committee) reworks early childhood program funding prioritizing low-income families and high-need geographies; and the enacted HB 5004 creates caregiver grant programs covering child care for foster/kinship families. This builds on CT's landmark 2023 early-childhood investments, keeping the state among the most access-friendly. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)22/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare17/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives15/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window No sponsor-derived allies in the current slate. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Connecticut shows how to pair a universal-leaning early-childhood funding formula with dedicated appropriations: a template for embedding childcare funding in a state's base budget rather than one-off grants. ### Bills HB 5002An Act Concerning Education Funding, Special Education and Early Childhood ProgramsEnabling Reforms education funding by adjusting foundation funding annually to income/inflation, phases in magnet and ag-science grants, and prioritizes early childhood programs for low-income families and specific geographic areas with adjusted financial-assistance guidelines and caps. **Sponsor:** Joint Committee on Education**Status:** Tabled for the Calendar, House (2026-04-14)**Category:** Early childhood funding formula [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3855802) HB 5004An Act Concerning Child Welfare Accountability and TransparencyEnabling Establishes child welfare reforms including grant programs for foster/adoptive caregivers covering necessities and child care, specialized DCF training, education opportunities for youth formerly in care, and oversight/transparency structures. **Sponsor:** Joint Committee on Children**Status:** Signed by the Governor (2026-05-26)**Category:** Caregiver child care grants [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3855804) SB 1Biennial State Budget Adjustments (incl. child care)Enabling Omnibus budget-adjustment act touching school construction, healthcare, workforce programs and child care/early education appropriations to implement the state budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. **Sponsor:** Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding**Status:** Signed by the Governor (2026-05-26)**Category:** Budget / appropriations [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3834278) SB 220An Act Concerning Student Literacy, Aspiring Educators, ASL and Paraeducator Health BenefitsMixed-Monitor Improves student literacy support, promotes aspiring educators from underrepresented groups, integrates ASL into world-languages curriculum, and expands health-benefit subsidies to paraeducators (touching the early-education workforce pipeline). **Sponsor:** Joint Committee on Education**Status:** Signed by the Governor (2026-06-04)**Category:** Early-ed workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3849648) ### Hearing clips On-topic Connecticut testimony exists, but all Connecticut legislative video is copyright-restricted from clipping. #10 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #10 ## Maryland Most friendly 84/100 Maryland was the most active of this group and enacted a dense slate in 2026. HB 1321 (enacted) overhauls the Child Care Scholarship Program: exempting priority groups from the enrollment freeze (the freeze and waitlist otherwise persist), adding a prioritized waitlist, and setting income-based copays. SB 503/HB 742 (both enacted) guarantee $450K/yr for the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program; SB 467/HB 561 (enacted) extend Child Care Credential funding; HB 748 (enacted) builds an early-childhood educator career ladder for pre-K providers; and SB 672 directs Prince George's County to plan birth-to-three expansion. Broad, funded, enacted access and workforce legislation. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)22/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare16/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives18/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)11/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Julie Palakovich Carr D HB 1321 Sponsored the enacted Child Care Scholarship changes (priority-group exemptions from the freeze, waitlist, income-based copays) and Credential funding extension (HB 561). Nancy King D SB 503 Sponsored guaranteed funding for the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program and Credential Program (SB 467). Bernice Mireku-North D HB 748 Sponsored the enacted early childhood educator career ladder for publicly funded pre-K providers. Alonzo Washington D SB 672 Sponsored the Prince George's County birth-to-three access expansion planning mandate. Jared Solomon D HB 742 Sponsored dedicated funding for family child care provider development. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Maryland offers one of the strongest playbooks: a scholarship/subsidy expansion, dedicated provider funding, workforce credential and career-ladder investments, and a local birth-to-three planning mandate all moved in a single session: a clear enacted template backed by a deep bench of Democratic sponsors. ### Bills HB 1321Child Care Scholarship Program - Application Process and Copays - AlterationsEnabling Exempts certain priority groups from the Child Care Scholarship Program enrollment freeze (which otherwise remains in place), establishes a prioritized waitlist, requires the State Department of Education to assist applicants eligible for pre-K/Head Start, eliminates presumptive eligibility, institutes an income-based sliding-scale copay with caps. (A separate bill, HB 849, addresses provider reimbursement rates.) **Sponsor:** Julie Palakovich Carr (D)**Status:** Approved by the Governor, 2026 (Chapter 595)**Category:** Subsidy expansion / affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3846187) SB 503Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program - FundingEnabling Mandates the Governor to include an annual $450,000 appropriation through FY2030 for the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program, sustaining grants to local jurisdictions to establish and support registered family child care providers across Maryland. **Sponsor:** Nancy King (D)**Status:** Approved by the Governor, 2026 (Chapter 700)**Category:** Dedicated provider funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833408) HB 748Publicly Funded Prekindergarten - Early Childhood Educator Career Ladder for Private ProvidersEnabling Establishes an early childhood educator career ladder for private providers of publicly funded prekindergarten, creating flexible new pathways to meet experiential and educational qualifications with the goal of raising compensation and professionalizing early childhood teaching. **Sponsor:** Bernice Mireku-North (D)**Status:** Approved by the Governor, 2026 (Chapter 618)**Category:** Workforce / career ladder [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3834944) HB 561Maryland Child Care Credential Program - Extension of FundingEnabling Requires continued and extended funding for the Maryland Child Care Credential Program through FY2030, guaranteeing funding for credentialing incentives, achievement bonuses, training reimbursements, and vouchers for child care staff. **Sponsor:** Julie Palakovich Carr (D)**Status:** Approved by the Governor, 2026 (Chapter 623)**Category:** Workforce incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3824396) SB 672Prince George's County - Expanding Access to Early Childhood Education and Child CareEnabling Mandates Prince George's County to develop a comprehensive plan by December 1, 2027, to expand access to high-quality early childhood education and child care for children from birth through age three, analyzing costs, workforce needs, provider capacity, and revenue options. **Sponsor:** Alonzo Washington (D)**Status:** Third Reading Passed with Amendments (132-1), 2026**Category:** Birth-to-three expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3838505) HB 742Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program - FundingEnabling Requires the Governor to appropriate $450,000 annually for FY2028-2030 for the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program, supporting local initiatives to develop and sustain family child care providers via grants administered by county governments and childcare resource centers. **Sponsor:** Jared Solomon (D)**Status:** Approved by the Governor, 2026 (Chapter 699)**Category:** Dedicated provider funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833389) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: MD: HB 1321: Chair Wilkins on expanding the Child Care Scholarship Program & easing the freeze for priority groups](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/62f2c6b0-55fe-4d37-a69e-647313632f8e)▶ MD: HB 1321: Chair Wilkins on expanding the Child Care Scholarship Program & easing the freeze for priority groups Chair Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D), Ways and Means briefing on child care (2/4/2026) · 180-248 “The program entered an enrollment freeze last year, and... the wait list to partake in the program has grown to nearly 3,000 to 4,000 children. Access to child care is one of this committee's top priorities this legislative session.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/62f2c6b0-55fe-4d37-a69e-647313632f8e?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #11 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #11 ## Washington Most friendly 83/100 Washington remains the national leader off the Fair Start for Kids Act foundation: SB 5500 (modernizing Working Connections Child Care reimbursement to a cost-of-quality rate model) passed the Senate 30-19 and advanced in the House, HB 2099 (ECEAP expansion to military and near-eligible families) moved to Appropriations, and SB 6206 established a pilot incentivizing providers for first-responder families. SB 5942 modernizes DCYF accountability. The slate is comprehensive, well-funded, and Democrat-led across subsidy rates, workforce, and facilities. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)22/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives16/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Emily Alvarado D SB 5500 Sponsored the passed Working Connections cost-of-quality rate modernization. Mari Leavitt D HB 2099 Sponsored ECEAP access expansion advancing through Appropriations. Manka Dhingra D SB 6206 Sponsored provider-incentive pilot for first-responder childcare access. T'wina Nobles D SB 5907 Senate sponsor of ECEAP eligibility expansion. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Washington is a flagship reference: a passed provider-rate modernization bill and active ECEAP expansion make it the strongest existing template for tying subsidy rates to the true cost of quality care. ### Bills SB 5500Modernizing reimbursement rates for the working connections child care programEnabling Modernizes Working Connections Child Care reimbursement so subsidy rates are based on a cost-of-quality rate model factoring living wages, benefits, and operating costs, with regular rate updates to reflect the true cost of high-quality care. **Sponsor:** Emily Alvarado (D)**Status:** Passed Senate 30-19; House do-pass, returned to Rules (2026)**Category:** Subsidy rates [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2415376) HB 2099Expanding access to the early childhood education and assistance program for military familiesEnabling Expands ECEAP to more military families and families with incomes up to the Working Connections Child Care ceiling, with risk-factor prioritization for kindergarten readiness, contingent on space and appropriations. **Sponsor:** Mari Leavitt (D)**Status:** Do pass (1st sub); referred to Appropriations (2026)**Category:** Pre-K access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3798847) SB 6206Establishing a pilot program that incentivizes child care providers to care for children of first respondersEnabling Creates a pilot granting financial incentives to licensed/certified providers who care for first-responder children, prioritizing nonstandard hours and short-notice care, with local match funding and outcome reporting. **Sponsor:** Manka Dhingra (D)**Status:** Referred to Ways & Means (2026)**Category:** Provider incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3808891) SB 5907Expanding access to the early childhood education and assistance program for military familiesEnabling Senate companion expanding ECEAP to military families and those with incomes up to the Working Connections ceiling, with rulemaking for risk-factor enrollment prioritization. **Sponsor:** T'wina Nobles (D)**Status:** Senate Rules X file (2026)**Category:** Pre-K access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3799291) SB 5942Concerning the department of children, youth, and families accountability boardMixed-Monitor Reconstitutes the DCYF Accountability Board with updated membership and authority to independently monitor departmental performance and transparency to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. **Sponsor:** Claire Wilson (D)**Status:** Senate Rules X file (2026)**Category:** Governance / oversight [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3799326) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: WA: HB 1873: Student lobbyist on childcare access for grad families](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/8536f1a7-b95b-491f-a93d-0f9719885742)▶ WA: HB 1873: Student lobbyist on childcare access for grad families Annika Peterson, UW graduate student lobbyist (House Early Learning & Human Services, 2026-02-24) · 450-538 “I'm here to testify in strong support of House Bill eighteen seventy three to provide Working Connections child care program eligibility to graduate and professional students. Child care costs in Washington are the fifth highest in the country.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/8536f1a7-b95b-491f-a93d-0f9719885742?from=clips)[ ![Hearing clip: WA: Budget: Advocate opposes cuts to Working Connections childcare](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/45ecbe96-189b-44a7-8317-d7a7394b0c39)▶ WA: Budget: Advocate opposes cuts to Working Connections childcare Alex Kalyana, Executive Director, Children's Campaign Fund Network (House Appropriations, 2026-01-12) · 3611-3686 “We are deeply concerned about proposed reductions to early learning and child care, specifically the proposed cap on working connections childcare, reductions in childcare center subsidy rates, and cuts to professional development funding.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/45ecbe96-189b-44a7-8317-d7a7394b0c39?from=clips) #12 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #12 ## New Jersey Most friendly 81/100 New Jersey is one of the most active pro-access states: a deep 2026 slate spans structural reform (A3467/S2228 establishing a Department of Early Childhood), subsidy expansion (A4846/S4191 setting childcare subsidy rates equal to district per-pupil preschool aid), workforce pay parity (A2241 Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Program), provider health benefits (A5952 Health Care for Child Care), and universal-access planning (A5262 Commission on High-Quality Affordable Early Childhood Care & Education; A4845/S4288 Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Care). Nearly all are Democratic-sponsored and access-expanding. Score is strong but not at the ceiling because most 2026 bills are still in committee rather than enacted. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)21/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives16/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)12/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Shanique Speight D · Dist. 29 A 5262 / A 4846 / A 2241 / A 5952 Prime sponsor of NJ's universal-access commission, subsidy-parity, pay-equity, and provider-health bills: the state's leading childcare-access champion. Raj Mukherji D · Dist. 33 S 4288 Sponsored Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Care to build statewide strategy. Angela McKnight D · Dist. 31 S 4191 Senate sponsor of subsidy-rate-parity expansion. Yvonne Lopez D · Dist. 19 A 3467 Sponsored Department of Early Childhood consolidation/structural reform. M. Teresa Ruiz D · Dist. 29 S 2228 Senate sponsor of Department of Early Childhood: longtime early-education leader. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** New Jersey is a model state: it already has universal-access commission vehicles (A5262, A4845), pay-equity and subsidy-parity bills, and a Department of Early Childhood proposal: a ready-made blueprint with a bench of committed sponsors. ### Bills A 5262Commission on High-Quality Affordable Early Childhood Care & EducationEnabling Establishes a commission to evaluate existing early childhood care/education systems, identify gaps, and develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure universal access to high-quality, affordable care for children birth to age five, reporting to the Governor and Legislature within two years. **Sponsor:** Shanique Speight (D–29)**Status:** Introduced, referred to Assembly Children, Families & Food Security Cmte (2026-06-15)**Category:** Universal childcare planning [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3885271) A 4846Child care subsidy rate = district per-pupil preschool education aidEnabling Requires the Division of Family Development to reimburse licensed/registered childcare providers delivering preschool at a rate equal to the resident per-pupil preschool education aid used by public school districts, with annual adjustment and quality-rating eligibility. **Sponsor:** Shanique Speight (D–29)**Status:** Introduced, referred to Assembly Children, Families & Food Security Cmte (2026-05-04)**Category:** Subsidy expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3867984) A 2241Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity ProgramEnabling Establishes a grant program in DHS to raise minimum salaries for early childhood educators toward parity with public school counterparts via a facility payment formula, prioritizing providers serving economically disadvantaged communities. **Sponsor:** Shanique Speight (D–29)**Status:** Introduced, referred to Assembly Aging & Human Services Cmte (2026-01-13)**Category:** Workforce support / pay parity [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3827367) A 3467Establishes Department of Early ChildhoodEnabling Creates a new principal Department of Early Childhood, consolidating early education, childcare, health, and home-visitation programs (pregnancy to age eight) from Education, Human Services, Children and Families, and Health into one department. **Sponsor:** Yvonne Lopez (D–19)**Status:** Introduced, referred to Assembly Children, Families & Food Security Cmte (2026-01-13)**Category:** Comprehensive structural reform [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3828728) S 4288Blue Ribbon Commission on Child CareEnabling Establishes a 13-member Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Care to develop a comprehensive statewide strategy to strengthen and stabilize the childcare system, with actionable policy and funding recommendations due within 12 months. **Sponsor:** Raj Mukherji (D–33)**Status:** Introduced in Senate, referred to Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Cmte (2026-05-14)**Category:** Universal childcare planning [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3880246) S 4191Child care subsidy rate = per-pupil preschool aid (Senate companion)Enabling Sets childcare subsidy rates for eligible preschool children equal to the school district's per-pupil preschool education aid, with annual review, enhanced subsidies restricted to high quality-rated programs, and appropriation processes. **Sponsor:** Angela McKnight (D–31)**Status:** Introduced in Senate, referred to Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Cmte (2026-05-11)**Category:** Subsidy expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3878972) A 5952Health Care for Child Care Program ($10M)Enabling Establishes a state-funded program to provide gold-level health insurance to eligible childcare-center and family-childcare-home employees, funded with an initial $10M appropriation, to stabilize the childcare workforce. **Sponsor:** Shanique Speight (D–29)**Status:** Introduced, referred to Assembly Children, Families & Food Security Cmte (2025-07-24)**Category:** Provider workforce support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2793999) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: NJ: S 1837: NJBIA supports employer childcare tax credit](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/6daffee9-b11c-4752-807d-49548b7a96bb)▶ NJ: S 1837: NJBIA supports employer childcare tax credit Chris Charmeil, Chief Gov't Affairs Officer, NJBIA (Senate Economic Growth, 2026-02-12) · 693-762 “Childcare in many ways is the backbone of our workforce... it's pro child care... pro business... and pro affordability. Child care is one of the biggest expenses that a lot of families have.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/6daffee9-b11c-4752-807d-49548b7a96bb?from=clips)[ ![Hearing clip: NJ: S 1837: CWA opposes employer childcare tax credit](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/8d018ef8-4e70-43a9-a057-390a3d21a1f6)▶ NJ: S 1837: CWA opposes employer childcare tax credit Anna Maria Vizky (Martaviski), Political & Field Director, CWA Local 1037 (Senate Economic Growth, 2026-02-12) · 785-994 “Corporate child care tax credits are a weak and inequitable tool that fail to lower child care costs for most New Jersey families... the tax credit would divert public resources away from direct, universal, and more effective investments.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/8d018ef8-4e70-43a9-a057-390a3d21a1f6?from=clips) ## The rest of the country #13 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #13 ## Hawaii Most friendly 80/100 Hawaii ran a deep pro-access slate in the 2025-2026 biennium: SB 1609 (Early Learning Services Contracts Program) directs DHS to reserve subsidized infant/toddler/group seats, SB 712 expands Preschool Open Doors eligibility to ages 2-5 and drops the accreditation barrier, and SB 426 creates an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program at UH. Supply and workforce measures (SB 1384 stipend fund, SB 1125/HB 1377 early-learning cooperatives, SB 56 state-employee child care centers) round out one of the most comprehensive access agendas in this group. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)20/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare14/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives16/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Joy A. San Buenaventura D · Dist. 2 SB 1609 Chairs Senate HHS; authored subsidy-seat contracting (SB 1609) and Preschool Open Doors expansion (SB 712). Henry Aquino D · Dist. 19 SB 426 Authored the UH Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to fund the childcare workforce pipeline. Glenn Wakai D · Dist. 15 SB 1125 Authored Early Learning Cooperatives to cut childcare costs and expand access. Karl Rhoads D · Dist. 13 SB 56 Authored pilot to build state-employee child care centers. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Hawaii is a proof-of-concept state: a Democratic supermajority has already advanced subsidy-seat contracting, near-universal pre-K eligibility, and workforce pipeline funding. ### Bills SB 1609DHS; Early Learning Services Contracts Program; Child Care ProvidersEnabling Requires DHS to establish an Early Learning Services Contracts Program by July 1, 2026 that contracts licensed infant, toddler, and group child care centers to reserve seats for families eligible for federally funded child care subsidies, stabilizing provider operations via fixed contracts; sunsets June 30, 2028. **Sponsor:** Joy A. San Buenaventura (D–2)**Status:** Passed Second Reading (House), referred to Finance (2025)**Category:** Subsidy / supply stabilization [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3283044) SB 712Preschool Open Doors Program; EligibilityEnabling Expands eligibility for the Preschool Open Doors program to include children aged two to five, removes the prior requirement that providers be accredited, and supports affordable early learning with minimal parent copayments. **Sponsor:** Joy A. San Buenaventura (D–2)**Status:** Deferred in Senate HHS (2025)**Category:** Pre-K access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3282143) SB 426UH; Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program; ChildcareEnabling Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program at the University of Hawaii providing financial support to early learning providers in approved apprenticeship programs, prioritizing infant/toddler providers and covering wages, training, mentorship, and administrative costs. **Sponsor:** Henry Aquino (D–19)**Status:** Passed Second Reading, referred to WAM (2025)**Category:** Workforce / provider support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3281864) SB 1125DHS; Early Learning Cooperatives; Advisory Council; AppropriationsEnabling Establishes an Early Learning Cooperative Program in DHS to address high childcare costs and access, blending professional care with structured parental involvement and Native Hawaiian cultural/place-based learning, with phased expansion, training, and legislative reporting. **Sponsor:** Glenn Wakai (D–15)**Status:** Referred to HHS, WAM (2025)**Category:** Access / affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3282593) SB 56DAGS; Child Care Centers for Children of State Employees; PilotEnabling Establishes a pilot to create two state-employee child care centers on Oahu (near the capitol and in Kapolei) to provide affordable care for eligible children of state employees, with DAGS operating them at minimal fees; repeals June 30, 2030. **Sponsor:** Karl Rhoads (D–13)**Status:** Referred to GVO/LBT, WAM (2025)**Category:** Facility funding / access [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3281499) SB 1384EOEL; Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program; Special FundsMixed-Monitor Redirects Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program repayment funds into the Early Learning Special Fund and repeals the separate Early Childhood Educator Special Fund, consolidating funding mechanisms (effective date set far out at July 1, 2050). **Sponsor:** Ronald D. Kouchi (D–8)**Status:** Passed Second Reading, referred to WAM (2025)**Category:** Workforce funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3282817) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #14 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #14 ## Oregon Most friendly 80/100 Oregon ran the most comprehensive pro-access slate in this group in 2025. HB 2593 renames and expands the Employment Related Day Care subsidy into the 'Oregon Child Care Affordability Program,' broadening eligibility, revising payment/quality incentives, and targeting waitlist reduction; SB 567 creates a Child Care Provider Incentive Fund (loan repayment, stipends, scholarships, housing); and SB 948 authorizes play-based learning pre-K through grade 5. All three cleared policy committee with public hearings before dying in Ways & Means at adjournment. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)21/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)16/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare14/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives18/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)11/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Zach Hudson D · Dist. 49 HB 2593 Chief sponsor of the Child Care Affordability Program expanding subsidy eligibility. Dick Anderson R · Dist. 5 SB 567 Chief sponsor (and Deputy Republican Leader) of the provider incentive fund; cross-aisle ally. Lew Frederick D SB 948 Chief sponsor of play-based early-learning bill advancing pre-K quality. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Oregon is a model state: a named subsidy-affordability program, a dedicated provider-workforce fund, and bipartisan sponsorship (SB 567's lead is the Senate Deputy Republican Leader) provide ready-made bill language and cross-aisle validation for universal-childcare approaches. ### Bills HB 2593Oregon Child Care Affordability Program (renames/expands ERDC subsidy)Enabling Renames the Employment Related Day Care subsidy program the 'Oregon Child Care Affordability Program,' revises and expands eligibility, payment structures and quality incentives, enhances background checks, mandates stakeholder engagement to reduce waitlists, and updates childcare-related tax credits. **Sponsor:** Zach Hudson (D–49)**Status:** Do-pass with amendments; referred to Ways & Means; died in committee at adjournment (Jun 2025)**Category:** Subsidy expansion / affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2216882) SB 567Child care provider incentive programEnabling Directs the Department of Early Learning and Care to establish a child care provider incentive program (including micro centers) financed by a dedicated Child Care Provider Incentive Fund, offering loan repayment subsidies, stipends, scholarships and housing assistance, with eligibility criteria and fund prioritization. **Sponsor:** Dick Anderson (R–5)**Status:** Do-pass; referred to Ways & Means; died in committee at adjournment (Jun 2025)**Category:** Provider & workforce support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2215598) SB 948Play-based learning, pre-K through grade 5Enabling Authorizes school district boards to provide play-based learning during instructional time for students in prekindergarten through grade five, defines play-based learning, and directs the Department of Education to provide professional development in play-based pedagogy for educators and childcare providers. **Sponsor:** Lew Frederick (D)**Status:** Do-pass; referred to Ways & Means; died in committee at adjournment (Jun 2025)**Category:** Pre-K / early learning quality [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2215953) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #15 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #15 ## Virginia Most friendly 79/100 Virginia ran a deep, coordinated childcare-access agenda: HB 1208 / SB 134 (unified statewide public-private early childhood system with funding-need calculations) advanced to Speaker signature, HB 2645 (Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education expansion, cost-of-quality financing) was signed into law (Chapter 297), and HB 254 tackles the subsidy benefits cliff. Prior-session vehicles HB 2538 (early childhood funding formula) and HB 2451 (income-based subsidy phase-down) built the framework. The slate is entirely enabling and Democrat-led. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)21/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)16/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives15/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)12/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Briana Sewell D HB 1208 Sponsored the unified statewide public-private early childhood system bill (advanced to Speaker signature). Mamie Locke D SB 134 Senate sponsor of the unified early childhood system with access/funding calculations. Michael Feggans D HB 2645 Sponsored enacted expansion of the Early Childhood Commission and cost-of-quality financing. Jackie Glass D HB 254 Sponsored subsidy benefits-cliff fix to preserve assistance as income rises. David Bulova D HB 2538 Sponsored the early childhood cost-of-quality funding formula and dedicated fund. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Virginia is a near-ready model: an enacted birth-to-five financing commission and a passed unified-system bill provide concrete statutory language and legislative champions for childcare-access reform. ### Bills HB 1208Public education; early childhood care and education, child care access calculations, reportEnabling Establishes a statewide unified public-private early childhood care and education system so every child enters kindergarten ready to learn; requires DOE to maintain funding-need calculations by cost methodology and parental demand to allocate and expand child care slots, especially in underserved regions. **Sponsor:** Briana Sewell (D)**Status:** Signed into law by Gov. Spanberger (May 27, 2026)**Category:** Universal system [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3804971) SB 134Public education; early childhood care and education, child care access calculations, reportEnabling Senate companion establishing a unified statewide public-private early childhood system with funding calculations based on cost estimates and parental demand, multi-agency coordination, and annual reporting on funding needs and slot allocations. **Sponsor:** Mamie Locke (D)**Status:** Signed into law by Gov. Spanberger (May 27, 2026)**Category:** Universal system [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3791410) HB 2645Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education; expands membershipEnabling Expands the Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education to 32 members charged with recommending and tracking financing for a comprehensive birth-to-five system, using a cost-of-quality model and longitudinal data to improve access, affordability, and workforce. **Sponsor:** Michael Feggans (D)**Status:** Signed by Governor - Chapter 297 (Effective 07/01/25)**Category:** Governance & financing [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2258185) HB 254Child Care Subsidy Program; income-based eligibility for assistanceEnabling Establishes a phased subsidy reduction model so families do not abruptly lose child care assistance from small income increases, replacing a hard eligibility cutoff with incremental income tiers. **Sponsor:** Jackie Glass (D)**Status:** Left in Committee Appropriations (2026)**Category:** Subsidy / benefits cliff [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3797267) HB 2538Public education; early childhood care and education, funding formula calculationsEnabling Establishes a statewide unified public-private early childhood system with a cost-of-quality funding formula, an Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, and annual reporting on slot needs and revenues. **Sponsor:** David Bulova (D)**Status:** Fiscal impact statement; not enacted (2025)**Category:** Funding formula [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2258053) HB 2451Child Care Subsidy Program; income-based eligibility for assistanceEnabling Mandates a phased reduction model for the Child Care Subsidy Program with income tiers and proportional subsidy reductions capped at 10% per tier to prevent sudden loss of assistance. **Sponsor:** Jackie Glass (D)**Status:** Left in Appropriations (2025)**Category:** Subsidy / benefits cliff [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2257994) ### Hearing clips Del. Sewell's HB 1208 clip was created but its thumbnail failed to render this run; HB 1208 advanced with little opposition. #16 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #16 ## Maine Most friendly 78/100 Maine was a leading state on childcare access in the 132nd Legislature. LD 1955/SP 763 (Sen. President Daughtry) is a comprehensive package creating a Child Care Affordability Program award, a tiered Salary Sustainability Program to raise educator wages, and scholarship/apprenticeship pathways. LD 1955 and its companion reimbursement Resolve (SP 554) both died on adjournment (Apr 29, 2026). The measures that were enacted are HP 1429 (signed), expanding public preschool to 3-year-olds beginning 2026-27, and the supplemental budget (HP 1491, signed), which carries early-childhood funding. Maine remains among the more active states on childcare workforce and affordability, though much of the 2026 package did not survive to enactment. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)21/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)16/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare14/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives17/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)10/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Matthea Daughtry D SP 763 Senate President; sponsored the flagship child care affordability and educator salary-sustainability package (and workforce bill SP 554). Kelly Murphy D HP 1429 Sponsored the enacted expansion of public preschool to 3-year-olds. Ryan Fecteau D HP 1293 Sponsored workforce/reimbursement bill boosting pay for essential support workers including care educators. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Maine pairs a universal pre-K expansion (down to age 3) with direct wage supports for the childcare workforce (the two pillars of a durable universal-childcare system) under a Democratic legislative leadership that has already moved bills to the Governor. ### Bills SP 763An Act to Increase Child Care Affordability and Early Childhood Educator StabilityEnabling Creates the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Child Care Award to support child care costs for eligible providers and educators, introduces a tiered Salary Sustainability Program to raise wages for child care professionals, implements scholarship and apprenticeship programs for workforce training, updates early-childhood CTE offerings, and requires a long-term financial sustainability plan. **Sponsor:** Matthea Daughtry (D)**Status:** Died on adjournment (Apr 29, 2026)**Category:** Affordability & workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2314117) HP 1429An Act Regarding Public Preschool Programs Serving Children Who Are 3 Years of AgeEnabling Expands public preschool programs to include 3-year-old children (including those with disabilities) beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, revising funding, enrollment eligibility, and implementation rules to increase access to early childhood education. **Sponsor:** Kelly Murphy (D)**Status:** Signed by Governor, Apr 3, 2026**Category:** Pre-K expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3789522) SP 554Resolve, to Improve the Availability of Child Care by Increasing Reimbursements and Establishing an Off-hours Care Grant ProgramEnabling Concept-draft bill to update state law with support and sustainability measures for Maine's child care workforce, addressing current challenges facing early childhood educators. **Sponsor:** Matthea Daughtry (D)**Status:** Died on adjournment (Apr 29, 2026) (2026)**Category:** Workforce support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2313934) HP 1491Supplemental appropriations (FY2026-2027), incl. early childhoodMixed-Monitor Makes supplemental General Fund and other-fund appropriations across state government for FY2026 and FY2027, including funding touching Health and Human Services and Education early-childhood functions among many departments. **Sponsor:** Drew Gattine (D)**Status:** Signed by Governor, Apr 10, 2026**Category:** Appropriations [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3845432) HP 1293An Act to Support Essential Support Workers and Enhance Workforce DevelopmentEnabling Increases reimbursement rates tied to the minimum wage for essential support workers, improves workforce data collection, advances technology to mitigate staffing shortages, and standardizes training and credentialing over a five-year plan (touches the child care workforce among care sectors). **Sponsor:** Ryan Fecteau (D)**Status:** Died on adjournment (Apr 29, 2026)**Category:** Workforce / reimbursement [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2313275) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #17 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #17 ## Rhode Island Most friendly 77/100 Rhode Island's marquee 2026 bill, HB 7688 the 'Rhode Island Child Care for All Act,' is the most ambitious universal-childcare vehicle in this group: it creates an Office for Early Learning, provides direct funding to providers, expands assistance eligibility, sets educator compensation standards, caps family co-pays by income, and pilots a public childcare option: explicitly treating childcare as a public good like K-12. SB 2433 refines the quality-rating system for school-based programs. HB 7688 is newly introduced (Feb 2026) and sits in House Finance. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)21/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare13/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives15/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)11/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Cherie L. Cruz D · Dist. 58 HB 7688 Primary sponsor of the Child Care for All Act establishing a public childcare option and expanded subsidies. Grace Diaz D HB 7688 Cosponsor of the universal Child Care for All Act; longtime early-education advocate. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Rhode Island offers one of the most directly transferable models: HB 7688 is essentially a universal-childcare blueprint, and its bill text and 10-member Democratic sponsor bloc show broad legislative backing for the approach. ### Bills HB 7688Rhode Island Child Care for All ActEnabling Establishes a centralized Office for Early Learning; provides direct financial support to childcare providers, expands eligibility for childcare assistance, creates compensation standards for early childhood educators, and pilots a public childcare option; phases in expanded subsidies and caps family co-payments by income, treating childcare as a public good comparable to K-12 education. **Sponsor:** Cherie L. Cruz (D–58)**Status:** Introduced; referred to House Finance (Feb 2026)**Category:** Universal childcare / public option [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3845698) SB 2433Quality rating for school-based early care / child careMixed-Monitor Amends the voluntary quality rating system so that, for school-age childcare programs in RIDE-certified school buildings, facility-based elements of quality tools (e.g., SACERS) are deemed met or treated neutrally, preventing physical-environment factors from lowering program ratings while keeping all health, safety and licensing requirements. **Sponsor:** David Tikoian (D)**Status:** Held for further study in Senate Education (Apr 2026)**Category:** Quality rating system [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3886933) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: RI: HB 8176: DHS testimony on expanding childcare access for vulnerable children](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/36896afb-2e72-4aa9-80bf-bf65ef83ceed)▶ RI: HB 8176: DHS testimony on expanding childcare access for vulnerable children RI Dept. of Human Services senior associate director (House Finance, 5/14/2026) · 5708-5752 “Access to child care can help maintain placement, support family reunification and reduce the likelihood of deeper system involvement... With passage of House Bill 8176, we are aligning policy with practice.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/36896afb-2e72-4aa9-80bf-bf65ef83ceed?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #18 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #18 ## Michigan Most friendly 74/100 Michigan had an active, bipartisan childcare year anchored by the Tri-Share cost-sharing model. HB 6043 (VanWoerkom) codifies the Tri-Share program (employers, employees, and the state each cover roughly a third of childcare costs) and passed the House (95-10) and is pending in the Senate; HB 6034 (Xiong) is a companion Tri-Share workplace-benefit fund. The FY2026-27 school-aid and LEAP appropriations (SB 230, HB 4578) carry early-childhood education funding, and SR 120 (Anthony) elevated childcare-provider recognition. Strong movement and an enacted marquee bill, though less universal-access reach than MA/MN. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)18/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)13/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare16/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives15/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)12/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Greg VanWoerkom R · Dist. 88 HB 6043 Prime sponsor of the Tri-Share childcare cost-share bill: passed the House (95-10) and pending in the Senate. Mai Xiong D · Dist. 13 HB 6034 Sponsored the Tri-Share workplace-benefit fund companion expanding employer-anchored childcare support. Gregory Markkanen R · Dist. 110 HB 4578 Sponsored LEAP appropriations funding early childhood education programs. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Tri-Share gives states a concrete, enacted, bipartisan cost-share template for designing employer-anchored childcare affordability programs that pair public funds with employer contributions. ### Bills HB 6043Tri-Share child care program and fund; establishEnabling Establishes the Tri-Share child care program, a cost-sharing model where employers cover at least a third of employee childcare expenses supplemented by state funds, plus a voluntary CareShare arrangement; administered by the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. **Sponsor:** Greg VanWoerkom (R–88)**Status:** Passed House 95-10 (June 25, 2026); pending in Senate Housing & Human Services Committee**Category:** Cost-share / affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3884480) HB 6034Tri-Share child care workplace benefit program and fund; establishEnabling Creates the Tri-Share child care workplace benefit program and dedicated fund, a cost-sharing system among employers, employees, and the state, administered to pay childcare providers and support recruitment and program operations. **Sponsor:** Mai Xiong (D–13)**Status:** Reproduced / introduced (2026-06-02)**Category:** Cost-share / affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3884177) SB 230School Aid Act appropriations (FY2025-26)Mixed-Monitor Amends the State School Aid Act with FY2025-26 appropriations and program requirements, including early childhood education funding among broad K-12 provisions. **Sponsor:** Thomas A. Albert (R–18)**Status:** Referred to Appropriations (2025-04-22)**Category:** School-aid / early childhood funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/2244577) HB 4578Dept. of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential appropriations (FY2025-26)Enabling Appropriates $640.5M for the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential for FY2025-26, including specific early childhood education program implementation and higher-education coordination. **Sponsor:** Gregory Markkanen (R–110)**Status:** Referred to Appropriations (2025-06-12)**Category:** Agency appropriations / early childhood [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/2243364) SR 120Child Care Provider Appreciation Day (May 8, 2026)Mixed-Monitor Commemorative resolution designating May 8, 2026 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, acknowledging providers' role and highlighting challenges in Michigan's childcare system. **Sponsor:** Sarah Anthony (D–21)**Status:** Adopted (2026-05-12)**Category:** Provider recognition [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3880085) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: MI: HB 6043: Provider testimony on Tri-Share childcare cost-sharing and access](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/763ff067-023b-4077-acc7-6147905eb241)▶ MI: HB 6043: Provider testimony on Tri-Share childcare cost-sharing and access Tyler Hunty, President, Michigan Child Care Provider Collective (Housing & Human Services, 3/10/2026) · 1890-1995 “Michigan deserves credit for creating this innovative program, but the current structure requires employers to take a fixed one third share... we need to give them the flexibility to contribute what they can sustainably commit to.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/763ff067-023b-4077-acc7-6147905eb241?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #19 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #19 ## Texas Most friendly 72/100 Texas was highly active on childcare in the 2025 (89th) session and enacted structural pieces: HB 117 (Schoolcraft/Campbell) created the Governor's Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood Education and Care and took immediate effect. It builds on the 2023 constitutional property-tax exemption for childcare providers. In the pipeline: SJR 56 (West) proposing a Child Care Protection and Enhancement Fund to expand capacity and subsidy rates, HB 4665 (Manuel) on provider training standards, and SB 2915 (Miles) pairing childcare with young-parent supports. Strong bipartisan authorship across enabling bills. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)17/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)13/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives17/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)10/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Alan Schoolcraft R · Dist. 44 HB 117 Primary author of the enacted early-childhood governance task force: Republican author of a signed access-infrastructure bill. Donna Campbell R · Dist. 25 HB 117 Senate sponsor of the enacted early-childhood task force bill. Royce West D · Dist. 23 SJR 56 Author of the proposed constitutional Child Care Protection and Enhancement Fund to expand capacity and subsidy rates. Christian Manuel D · Dist. 22 HB 4665 Author of bill strengthening childcare provider training standards. Borris Miles D · Dist. 13 SB 2915 Author of wraparound pilot bundling childcare with young-parent supports. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Texas demonstrates that a large red state will build governance infrastructure (task force) and float a dedicated childcare trust fund (SJR 56); the property-tax-exemption-for-providers model and West's fund concept are directly citable precedents. ### Bills HB 117Governor's Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood Education and CareEnabling Establishes the Governor's Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood Education and Care, tasked with reviewing administrative structures and submitting policy and budget recommendations by 12/1/2026 to improve program quality, efficiency, and accessibility; administratively attached to the Texas Education Agency. **Sponsor:** Alan Schoolcraft (R–44)**Status:** Enacted; signed by Governor, effective immediately (6/20/2025)**Category:** Governance / early childhood system [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/989567) SJR 56Constitutional amendment creating the Child Care Protection and Enhancement FundEnabling Proposes a constitutional amendment creating the Child Care Protection and Enhancement Fund as a trust fund outside the state treasury to expand childcare capacity and enhance state-subsidized care rates, funded by legislative appropriations, donations, and investment earnings. **Sponsor:** Royce West (D–23)**Status:** Co-author authorized (4/2/2025); pending**Category:** Dedicated funding / subsidy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/874867) HB 4665Training for employees and operators of certain child-care facilitiesEnabling Amends the Human Resources Code to specify that training for childcare facility employees and operators must be age-appropriate and delivered by qualified entities (registered trainers, educators, licensed professionals, experienced child-development workers) to improve care standards. **Sponsor:** Christian Manuel (D–22)**Status:** Referred to Health & Human Services (5/7/2025)**Category:** Provider / workforce standards [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/981333) SB 2915Supporting Life Pilot Program (childcare + young-parent supports)Enabling Establishes a Supporting Life Pilot Program providing comprehensive services (housing, childcare, education, and health) to pregnant teens and young parents at a centralized facility in a populous county, overseen by an advisory board. **Sponsor:** Borris Miles (D–13)**Status:** Referred to Health & Human Services (4/7/2025)**Category:** Wraparound / young parents [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/998836) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: TX: HB 117: Rep. Schoolcraft's early childhood governance task force on childcare access](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/832d3683-a961-4fb1-b2fa-831438eeff42)▶ TX: HB 117: Rep. Schoolcraft's early childhood governance task force on childcare access Rep. Alan Schoolcraft (R) / bill supporter (House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education, 3/27/2025) · 2530-2622 “Committee substitute House Bill 117 creates the Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood Education and Care Governance... Currently, early childhood education and childcare are managed and provided through a hodgepodge of programs and services.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/832d3683-a961-4fb1-b2fa-831438eeff42?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #20 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #20 ## Delaware Most friendly 71/100 Delaware ran a focused, bipartisan childcare-access package in the 153rd GA. SB 278 (passed Senate 19-2) refines Purchase of Care subsidy eligibility for job-seekers; HB 387 phases the subsidy income ceiling up from 200% to 275% FPL over five years; SB 294 extends child care assistance to full-time post-secondary students; and HB 274 doubles the state child/dependent care tax credit from 50% to 100% of the federal credit. Multiple bills are actively advancing, though none is a single comprehensive universal regime. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)16/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)17/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives13/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)13/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Daniel Cruce D SB 294 Sponsor extending child care subsidy eligibility to full-time student parents. Trey Paradee D SB 278 Sponsor of the subsidy eligibility bill passed 19-2 in the Senate. Melanie Levin D HB 274 Sponsor doubling the state child/dependent care tax credit to 100% of the federal credit. Jeff Hilovsky R HB 387 Republican sponsor phasing subsidy income eligibility up to 275% FPL: a cross-party access ally. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Delaware is a useful example of incremental subsidy expansion (eligibility ceilings, student parents, refundable tax credit) with Republican co-sponsorship: showing how a bipartisan childcare-affordability coalition can form in a smaller state. ### Bills SB 294Child Care Assistance for Full-Time Post-Secondary EducationEnabling Amends the Purchase of Care program to make full-time post-secondary students pursuing associate/baccalaureate degrees eligible for child care assistance, and excludes certain educational financial aid from income calculations. **Sponsor:** Daniel Cruce (D)**Status:** Assigned to Finance Committee, Senate (2026-05-13)**Category:** Subsidy eligibility (student parents) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3878363) HB 387Child Care Subsidies: Raise Eligibility to 275% FPLEnabling Incrementally raises Purchase of Care income eligibility from 200% to 275% of the Federal Poverty Level over five years starting October 1, 2026, with capped copayments during phase-out and annual demographic reporting. **Sponsor:** Jeff Hilovsky (R)**Status:** Assigned to Appropriations Committee, House (2026-05-19)**Category:** Subsidy eligibility expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3878353) SB 278Child Care Assistance: Eligibility ClarificationEnabling Amends the Child Care Subsidy (Purchase of Care) program to specify eligibility for those seeking/retaining employment or in training, sets a 90-day eligibility window for job-seekers, and establishes copayment and summer-provider pre-authorization rules. **Sponsor:** Trey Paradee (D)**Status:** Passed by Senate 19-2 (2026-07-01)**Category:** Subsidy eligibility [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3874348) HB 274Child and Dependent Care Expense Tax Credit IncreaseEnabling Increases Delaware's child and dependent care expense tax credit from 50% to 100% of the federal credit amount, capped at tax otherwise due, and clarifies rules for spouses filing separately. **Sponsor:** Melanie Levin (D)**Status:** HS 1 assigned to Appropriations, House (2026-03-19)**Category:** Childcare tax credit [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3816835) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #21 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #21 ## Tennessee Friendly 68/100 Tennessee moved a marquee childcare package to enactment: the Promising Futures Act (HB 1979 / SB 2062 companion track, sponsored by Rep. Mark White) creates a dedicated fund from vapor/hemp product taxes to seed three programs (the Child Care Workforce Scholarship Pilot, CareShare Tennessee (employer-shared cost), and Smart Steps Plus) and was signed with effective dates in 2026-2027. SB 902 (Oliver) advanced the Child Care WAGE$ worker-supplement and educator-parent priority-access programs. The state pairs Republican leadership (White) with Democratic access champions (Oliver, Campbell). Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)17/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)13/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare14/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives16/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Mark White R · Dist. 83 HB 1979 Prime sponsor of the enacted, funded Promising Futures Act: the strongest cross-aisle validator for state-funded childcare in TN. Charlane Oliver D · Dist. 19 SB 902 Prime sponsor of Child Care WAGE$ worker-supplement and educator-parent access programs; lead Democratic access champion. Heidi Campbell D · Dist. 20 SB 270 Co-prime sponsor of early-childhood access measure advanced to Senate Education. Scott Cepicky R · Dist. 64 HB 1979 Co-prime sponsor of the enacted Promising Futures Act. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Tennessee is a proof point that a red state will enact a funded, multi-program childcare-workforce and affordability framework; the CareShare employer model and dedicated fund are transferable design ideas, with Rep. White's sponsorship lending cross-aisle credibility. ### Bills HB 1979Promising Futures Act (child care workforce, CareShare, Smart Steps Plus)Enabling Establishes a dedicated fund from taxes/fees on vapor and hemp-derived products to support three pilots: the Child Care Workforce Scholarship Pilot, CareShare Tennessee (employer-supported childcare cost-share), and Smart Steps Plus: each designed to reduce childcare costs and increase workforce participation, with mandated annual independent reporting. **Sponsor:** Mark White (R–83)**Status:** Enacted; effective 05/19/2026 and 01/01/2027**Category:** Comprehensive workforce + affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3818991) SB 902Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee and early educator parent assistanceEnabling Creates Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee to provide tenure- and wage-based supplemental payments to childcare workers, plus a second program giving assistance payments and priority licensed-care access to early childhood educators who are also parents, with annual inflation adjustments funded from existing childcare improvement funds. **Sponsor:** Charlane Oliver (D–19)**Status:** Assigned to General Subcommittee, Senate Health & Welfare (3/5/2025)**Category:** Worker wages / educator support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2066679) SB 270Early childhood / child care education measureEnabling Childcare/early-education access bill sponsored by Sen. Oliver with co-prime Sen. Campbell; advanced through second consideration to Senate Education before failing in committee, reflecting Democratic push on early childhood access. **Sponsor:** Charlane Oliver (D–19)**Status:** Failed in Senate Education Committee (3/26/2025)**Category:** Early education access [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2066005) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: TN: SB 2062 / Promising Futures Act: on childcare workforce and affordability](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/9b07dad4-67ef-48d1-883d-1a6f8b75af18)▶ TN: SB 2062 / Promising Futures Act: on childcare workforce and affordability Senate sponsor (Promising Futures Act; companion to HB1979/Mark White; Sen. sponsor per Health & Welfare) · 3483-3613 “This bill takes a fiscally conservative, responsible, and thoughtful approach... The bill establishes what is known as the Promising Futures Fund... The first pilot is called the child care workforce scholarship pilot to support the recruitment and retention of child care labor force, which is one of the biggest problems that we have with child care capacity.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/9b07dad4-67ef-48d1-883d-1a6f8b75af18?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #22 of 49 Bill activity: 2023–2025 · web-sourced #22 ## Nevada Friendly 67/100 Web-sourced (Nevada is not in the USLege database; built from NELIS, LegiScan, First 5 Nevada, Children's Advocacy Alliance of Nevada, and Nevada news coverage). Nevada's biennial legislature ran a high volume of active, pro-childcare-access legislation in its most recent 2025 (83rd) regular session, but enactment was mixed because Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed a record 87 bills. COMPREHENSIVE (19/25): a broad slate of bills touching subsidies, pre-K, workforce/home-based providers, facilities, and early-childhood engagement (SB388, SB460, AB185, AB212, SB461, SB58). MANDATES/access expansion (14/20): SB460, the 'EDUCATE Act' (Sen. Cannizzaro & Sen. Dondero Loop), PASSED and expanded Nevada Ready! pre-K by raising the income-eligibility ceiling and moving toward universal pre-K 'to the extent funds are available'; but SB388 (Cannizzaro), which would have eliminated child-care-subsidy co-pays for the lowest earners and capped co-pays at 5% of income, FAILED. ENFORCEMENT/funding (13/20): AB212 (Asm. Monroe-Moreno) PASSED with a roughly $2M appropriation to continue the Virtual Early Childhood Family Engagement Program, and SB460 carried pre-K funding increases; dedicated child-care-subsidy appropriations remained constrained after ARPA funds expired Oct. 2024. INCENTIVES/workforce (10/20): SB461, the Governor's economic-development bill offering tax credits to businesses that build or expand child-care facilities, FAILED, and AB185 (Asm. Anderson), barring most HOAs from banning licensed home-based child care, passed both chambers with bipartisan votes but was VETOED. SCOPE (11/15): legislation reached infants through pre-K, low-income and higher-income families, rural districts, employers, and home-based providers. Factors sum to 67. 2023 (82nd) session precedent includes AB113 (Asm. Thomas, Office of Early Childhood Systems) and SB278 (Sen. Spearman, employer child-care tax credits), both of which failed, plus the ~$50M subsidy expansion funded administratively. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)19/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)14/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare13/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives10/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)11/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Nicole Cannizzaro D · Dist. Senate District 6 (Senate Majority Leader) SB460 (pre-K expansion, enacted) & SB388 (subsidy co-pay reform, failed) Web-sourced. TOP universal-childcare ally: authored the enacted pre-K expansion vehicle (SB460) and the subsidy affordability bill (SB388), and as Senate Majority Leader has publicly teed up universal pre-K legislation. The single highest-leverage legislative champion for a universal-childcare campaign. Marilyn Dondero Loop D · Dist. Senate District 8 SB460 (EDUCATE Act, co-sponsor, enacted) Web-sourced. TOP universal-childcare ally: co-sponsor of the enacted pre-K expansion bill and a former elementary-education teacher with an M.Ed.; a credible education-policy anchor and co-lead for a universal-childcare push. Natha C. Anderson D · Dist. Assembly District 30 (Assistant Majority Whip) AB185 (home-based child care / HOA barriers, passed both chambers, vetoed) Web-sourced. Champion on provider SUPPLY: sponsored the bipartisan home-based child care bill, framing supply shortages as the state's 'low hanging fruit.' Valuable for supply-side and provider-access strategy and a ready revive-the-bill partner. Daniele Monroe-Moreno D · Assembly Dist. 1 (Speaker Pro Tempore) AB212 (Virtual Early Childhood Family Engagement Program, enacted w/ appropriation) Web-sourced. Sponsored an enacted, funded early-childhood program bill and, as Speaker Pro Tempore and Ways & Means chair, helps steer the lower-chamber agenda: useful for moving any universal-childcare package through the Assembly. Clara 'Claire' Thomas D · Dist. Assembly District 17 AB113 (2023, Office of Early Childhood Systems, failed) Web-sourced. Standing early-childhood-systems ally from the 2023 session; useful for the governance/coordination infrastructure a universal-childcare program would need. Pat Spearman D · Dist. Senate District 1 (2023 session) SB278 (2023, employer child-care tax credits, failed) Web-sourced. Prior sponsor of an employer-side child-care incentive; useful for the business/employer coalition angle of a universal-childcare campaign. ### Skeptics · opposed Joe Lombardo R · Dist. Governor AB185 (vetoed June 5, 2025); broadly, a record 87 vetoes including childcare-access measures Web-sourced (Nevada Independent / gov.nv.gov veto messages). Chief on-the-record obstacle: vetoed AB185, writing that expanding child care is 'an important goal' but that the bill 'strips HOAs of a key element of their regulatory authority.' Signals he will support facility/funding mechanisms (his own SB461) but resist mandates on private governance: the central strategic constraint for a universal-childcare bill under a Republican governor. **Why it matters:** Nevada's momentum is strong on the legislative side and blocked at the Governor's desk. Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-6) authored both the pre-K expansion vehicle (SB460, enacted) and the subsidy co-pay reform (SB388, failed) and has publicly teed up universal pre-K; Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop (D-8), a former educator, co-sponsored SB460. The defining dynamic is a Republican-held governorship: bills expanding access passed the Legislature with bipartisan margins (AB185 cleared 32-10 and 16-4) but Lombardo vetoed them, so further expansion likely requires either a veto-proof coalition or gubernatorial buy-in on the funding/facility mechanisms he says he supports in principle. Vehicles positioned to return: SB388 (co-pay cliff), AB185 (home-based supply), and SB461 (facility incentives, the Governor's own vehicle). ### Bills SB460SB460: EDUCATE Act (Education through Accountability, Transparency and Efficiency); pre-K expansion and fundingEnabling Web-sourced (NELIS / LegiScan / Nevada Independent). Enacted omnibus education bill co-sponsored by Sen. Cannizzaro and Sen. Dondero Loop that increased Nevada Ready! pre-K funding and raised the household income ceiling for state-funded pre-K seats (from 200% to 250% of the federal poverty level), moving toward free pre-K 'to the extent funds are available.' The most consequential enacted access-expansion vehicle of the 2025 session and the practical foundation for a universal pre-K push. **Sponsor:** Nicole Cannizzaro (D–Senate District 6)**Status:** Enacted, 2025 (83rd session)**Category:** Access expansion / pre-K funding [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/Overview?searchName=SB460) SB388SB388: Revises provisions relating to child care (subsidy co-payment reform)Enabling Web-sourced (NELIS / First 5 Nevada / archive.leg.state.nv.us SB388.pdf). Would have eliminated Child Care and Development Program (subsidy) co-payments for the lowest-income families and capped co-pays at no more than 5% of gross family income for others, addressing the affordability cliff created after ARPA funds ended Oct. 2024. FAILED to pass. A prime revive target for the institute. **Sponsor:** Nicole Cannizzaro (D–Senate District 6)**Status:** Failed to pass, 2025 (83rd session)**Category:** Subsidy affordability / co-pays [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/Overview?searchName=SB388) AB185AB185: Prohibits most HOAs from banning licensed home-based child careEnabling Web-sourced (NELIS / Nevada Current / LegiScan). Barred most homeowners associations from prohibiting licensed home-based child care serving 5–12 children and eased residential-zoning/licensing barriers, aimed at Nevada's provider-supply shortage. Passed both chambers with bipartisan support (Assembly 32-10, Senate 16-4) but was VETOED by Gov. Lombardo on June 5, 2025 on HOA-authority grounds. Sponsor Anderson called supply the state's 'low hanging fruit.' **Sponsor:** Natha C. Anderson (D–Assembly District 30)**Status:** Vetoed by Gov. Lombardo, 5 June 2025 (83rd session)**Category:** Provider supply / home-based care [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/Overview?searchName=AB185) AB212AB212: Virtual Early Childhood Family Engagement Program (extension & appropriation)Enabling Web-sourced (NELIS / archive.leg.state.nv.us AB212\_EN.pdf). Renamed and extended the Virtual Early Childhood Family Engagement Program through Sept. 2027 and appropriated roughly $1M/year (about $2M total) from the General Fund to continue it. PASSED both chambers (Assembly May 27, Senate June 2, 2025). Sponsored by Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Daniele Monroe-Moreno. **Sponsor:** Daniele Monroe-Moreno (D–Assembly District 1)**Status:** Passed both chambers, 2025 (83rd session)**Category:** Family engagement / appropriation [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/Overview?searchName=AB212) SB461SB461: Governor's economic-development bill; child-care facility tax creditsEnabling Web-sourced (First 5 Nevada / Nevada Independent). Governor Lombardo's economic-development package that included a tax credit for businesses that build or expand child-care facilities: a supply/facility incentive. FAILED to pass. Notable because the Governor's own vehicle signals bipartisan appetite for facility incentives even though it did not become law. **Sponsor:** Committee on Revenue and Economic Development (Governor Lombardo's bill) (R–Governor's Office / Senate committee)**Status:** Failed to pass, 2025 (83rd session)**Category:** Facility tax credit [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/Overview?searchName=SB461) SB58SB58: Revises Nevada Ready! PreK eligibility and income requirementsEnabling Web-sourced (First 5 Nevada). Would have revised Nevada Ready! pre-K eligibility and income requirements to broaden access. FAILED as a standalone bill, but its substance was folded into the enacted SB460, so its pre-K eligibility goals were partially achieved. **Sponsor:** Senate Committee on Education (Senate committee bill)**Status:** Failed as standalone; substance folded into enacted SB460, 2025 (83rd session)**Category:** Pre-K eligibility [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/Overview?searchName=SB58) AB113AB113 (2023): Establishes an Office of Early Childhood SystemsEnabling Web-sourced (NELIS / Nevada Independent). Prior-session (82nd, 2023) bill to create an Office of Early Childhood Systems within the Governor's office to coordinate childcare and early-learning programs. FAILED. Included for biennial context and as evidence of a standing pro-access sponsor (Asm. Thomas). **Sponsor:** Clara 'Claire' Thomas (D–Assembly District 17)**Status:** Failed to pass, 2023 (82nd session)**Category:** Early-childhood governance [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Bill/9727/Overview) SB278SB278 (2023): Tax credits for employers offering child-care benefitsEnabling Web-sourced (Nevada Independent). Prior-session (82nd, 2023) bill authorizing tax credits for businesses that offer child-care benefits to workers: an employer-side access incentive. FAILED. Included for biennial context and to document employer-incentive precedent. **Sponsor:** Pat Spearman (D–Senate District 1 (2023))**Status:** Failed to pass, 2023 (82nd session)**Category:** Employer child-care tax credit [View on USLege →](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/82nd2023/Bills/Status) ### Hearing clips Nevada is not in USLege, so no hearing video is available to clip; NV's bills, allies, and universal-childcare champions are documented from public sources in its section above. #23 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #23 ## Kentucky Friendly 66/100 Kentucky was unusually active in 2026 and enacted a marquee, cross-cutting childcare law: HB 6 (Rep. Samara Heavrin, became law) modernizes the quality rating system, creates child-care microcenters, and launches a statewide Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership. HB 321 broadened CCAP payments to certified family homes, and Democrats filed a slate of universal half-day pre-K bills (SB 165/166, HB 572/574) that stalled. The biennial budget (HB 500) funds early-childhood initiatives. Strong Republican-led activity on access plus a Democratic pre-K push. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)18/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)12/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare13/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives15/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Samara Heavrin R HB 6 Prime sponsor of the enacted comprehensive child care access, microcenter, and employer-assistance law. Vanessa Grossl R HB 321 Sponsored CCAP expansion to certified family child-care homes and new nature-based provider models (HB 496). Cassie Armstrong D SB 166 Sponsored phased universal half-day pre-K expansion for at-risk four-year-olds. Tina Bojanowski D HB 572 Sponsored statewide preschool expansion toward serving all four-year-olds. Gerald Neal D SB 165 Sponsored mandate to provide half-day preschool to all eligible four-year-olds by 2034-2035. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Kentucky offers a rare bipartisan opening: a Republican sponsor (Heavrin) already delivered an enacted access-and-workforce law, and a Democratic bloc has drafted universal pre-K frameworks: both camps have advanced childcare legislation. ### Bills HB 6AN ACT relating to child careEnabling Establishes a comprehensive framework to enhance child care quality, access, and support: modernizes the early care and education rating system, creates the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program for local governments, introduces child-care microcenters, and implements a statewide Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership administered by a third party, with improved data reporting and performance-based incentives. **Sponsor:** Samara Heavrin (R)**Status:** Became law without Governor's signature, Apr 14, 2026 (Acts Ch. 146)**Category:** Comprehensive access & workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833313) HB 321AN ACT relating to child care (family home certification & CCAP)Enabling Establishes a state certification program for family child-care homes caring for 4 to 6 unrelated children with minimum health, safety, and training standards, and enables certified family homes and licensed type II centers to receive payments through the state's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). **Sponsor:** Vanessa Grossl (R)**Status:** Floor amendment filed (2026)**Category:** Subsidy eligibility / providers [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3800292) SB 166AN ACT relating to preschool education programsEnabling Expands eligibility for half-day preschool to all four-year-olds at risk (household income up to 250% of the federal poverty level) by 2031-2032, requires districts to collaborate with Head Start and other providers, establishes a unified data system, and phases in developmentally appropriate preschool access statewide. **Sponsor:** Cassie Armstrong (D)**Status:** To Committee on Committees (S), 2026**Category:** Universal pre-K [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3837374) HB 572AN ACT relating to preschool education programsEnabling Expands and reforms the preschool program by requiring districts to provide half-day preschool to all at-risk four-year-olds by 2031-2032 and establishing a phased plan to serve all four-year-olds statewide, with mandated collaboration with Head Start and a statewide data reporting system. **Sponsor:** Tina Bojanowski (D)**Status:** To Primary and Secondary Education (H), 2026**Category:** Universal pre-K [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3837363) HB 496AN ACT relating to outdoor, nature-based early learning and child care programsEnabling Defines and establishes outdoor, nature-based early learning and child care programs as licensed centers for children aged 3-12 and directs the Department for Community Based Services to promulgate governing regulations by June 30, 2027, with an advisory committee. **Sponsor:** Vanessa Grossl (R)**Status:** To Families & Children (H), 2026**Category:** Provider models [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3828535) HB 5002026-2028 biennial budget (early childhood appropriations)Mixed-Monitor The comprehensive 2026-2028 biennial budget authorizing state operating and capital expenditures, including specific allocations for early childhood initiatives among many other programs. **Sponsor:** Jason Petrie (R)**Status:** Became law with line-item vetoes overridden in part (Acts Ch. 168)**Category:** Appropriations [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3824082) ### Hearing clips Kentucky legislative video is copyright-restricted from clipping. #24 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #24 ## Nebraska Friendly 63/100 Nebraska's unicameral was notably active on childcare access in 2026: LB1177 (DeBoer) proposed a dedicated Child Care Cash Fund for subsidies, LB920 (Spivey) created a Nebraska Child Care Aid Fund from device-tax revenue (advanced by amendment into LB901), and LB867 (HHS Committee, signed by Governor 4/14/2026) enacted childcare-grant and youth-afterschool eligibility provisions. Interest ran to universal care: LR393 (Conrad) is an interim study of a New-Mexico-style universal no-cost childcare program. Score is tempered because the marquee subsidy-fund bills (LB1177, LB920, LB808) were indefinitely postponed or folded into other vehicles rather than enacted standalone. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)16/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)12/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare13/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives12/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)10/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Wendy DeBoer NP · Dist. 10 LB 1177 Introduced dedicated Child Care Cash Fund for subsidy stability. Ashlei Spivey NP · Dist. 13 LB 920 / LR 412 Created Child Care Aid Fund and led interim study to expand subsidies. Danielle Conrad NP · Dist. 46 LR 393 Sponsored study of New-Mexico-style universal no-cost childcare: direct ally for universal-care push. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Nebraska is a promising build: a live universal-care study (LR393), enacted childcare-grant funding (LB867), and multiple dedicated-fund proposals show bipartisan appetite, but subsidy expansion still needs a durable funding vehicle to survive. ### Bills LB 1177Create the Child Care Cash FundEnabling LB1177 establishes the Child Care Cash Fund, administered by DHHS, to provide sustained, reliable funding dedicated to child care subsidy programs across Nebraska: preserving subsidy access for eligible families, ensuring continuity of care, and maintaining provider viability in urban and rural areas, with annual reporting to the Legislature. **Sponsor:** Wendy DeBoer (NP–10)**Status:** Indefinitely postponed (2026-04-17)**Category:** Childcare subsidy funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3816304) LB 920Create the Nebraska Child Care Aid Fund (mechanical amusement device tax)Enabling Amends the Mechanical Amusement Device Tax Act with stricter licensing/compliance and a revised tax rate that allocates new revenue to the Nebraska Child Care Aid Fund, creating a dedicated funding stream for childcare assistance. **Sponsor:** Ashlei Spivey (NP–13)**Status:** Provisions amended into LB901 by AM2406 (2026-04-17)**Category:** Childcare funding / revenue [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3797417) LB 867HHS omnibus: child care grants & youth afterschool childcare-employment eligibilityEnabling Broad HHS bill that, among many provisions, updates child care grant rules and creates a youth-afterschool eligibility letter for child care employment, alongside Medicaid, licensing, and welfare modernizations. Enacted with an emergency clause. **Sponsor:** Health and Human Services Committee (NP)**Status:** Approved by Governor (2026-04-14); passed Final Reading 49-0**Category:** Childcare grants (enacted) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3796376) LR 393Interim study: universal no-cost child care modeled on New MexicoEnabling Directs the HHS Committee to study the feasibility of a universal child care program at no cost to parents, modeled after New Mexico: reviewing needs, benefits, funding mechanisms, and barriers, and developing a legislative model. **Sponsor:** Danielle Conrad (NP–46)**Status:** Referred to Health and Human Services Committee (2026-03-30)**Category:** Universal childcare study [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3867247) LR 412Interim study: expanding state & federal child care subsidiesEnabling Interim study to give the Legislature a more coordinated, proactive role in child care financing models that create or expand state and federal subsidies to increase access, affordability, and coverage for working families, analyzing the Step Up to Quality tiered model and reimbursement systems. **Sponsor:** Ashlei Spivey (NP–13)**Status:** Referred to Executive Board (2026-03-30)**Category:** Subsidy expansion study [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3868297) LB 808Child care licensing pilot program (flexible licensing to expand capacity)Mixed-Monitor Amends the Child Care Licensing Act to create a pilot allowing flexible licensing (waived standard requirements and individual waivers) to increase childcare facility availability and capacity, with safety conditions and outcome evaluation. **Sponsor:** Teresa Ibach (NP–44)**Status:** Indefinitely postponed (2026-04-17)**Category:** Provider capacity / licensing [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3791190) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: NE: LB304/AM2962: Sen. Wendy DeBoer on funding childcare subsidy access](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/9e159bf2-6b8e-4350-a804-4e2fb6086b99)▶ NE: LB304/AM2962: Sen. Wendy DeBoer on funding childcare subsidy access Sen. Wendy DeBoer (NP-10) · 25125-25158 “Again, this is the a-bill amendment, which would use the health care cash fund funds to pay for the child care subsidy bill, instead of general funds... Appreciate your green vote on the amendment and on the a-bill.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/9e159bf2-6b8e-4350-a804-4e2fb6086b99?from=clips)[ ![Hearing clip: NE: LB304/AM2962: Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh opposes childcare subsidy funding source](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/9a82ed7b-5660-48f4-b592-dd0bf94eb14a)▶ NE: LB304/AM2962: Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh opposes childcare subsidy funding source Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (NP-6) · 25158-25183 “I rise in opposition to AM2962. I won't be voting to take money out of the health care cash fund. We've raided the health care cash fund and the master settlement fund this year... I think it would be much more appropriate to use general funds.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/9a82ed7b-5660-48f4-b592-dd0bf94eb14a?from=clips) #25 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #25 ## Pennsylvania Friendly 61/100 Pennsylvania's childcare action in 2025-26 is anchored in appropriations and study rather than a new access statute. SB 1220 (General Appropriation Act of 2026) carries the state childcare/early-education line items and is actively moving in Senate Appropriations; HR 363 directs a Joint State Government Commission study of the early-childhood system to boost affordable access; HB 2492 adds a 30-day childcare-closure notification safeguard. All are enabling or neutral; no restrictive bill dominates. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)14/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)10/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare15/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives10/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)12/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Melissa Shusterman D HR 363 Prime sponsor of the early-childhood system study aimed at expanding affordable access. Nathan Davidson D · Dist. 103 HB 2492 Prime sponsor of the childcare-closure notification safeguard protecting families' continuity of care. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Pennsylvania's lever is the budget (SB 1220) plus a formal study (HR 363) laying groundwork for future access expansion; there is a broad Democratic cosponsor bench on childcare bills, but no standalone universal-childcare or subsidy-eligibility vehicle yet. ### Bills SB 1220General Appropriation Act of 2026 (childcare/early-ed funding)Mixed-Monitor The General Appropriation Act of 2026 sets the Commonwealth's FY2026-27 budget, appropriating General, special and Federal funds across departments including childcare, early education and human-services programs, with allocations for programs, operations and oversight mechanisms. **Sponsor:** Scott Martin (R)**Status:** Re-committed to Senate Appropriations (Jun 2026)**Category:** Appropriations / funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3879710) HR 363Study of Pennsylvania's early childhood education systemEnabling Directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's early-childhood education system, including public/private/private-equity roles, rising liability insurance costs, and lessons from other states, and to recommend improvements to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare statewide. **Sponsor:** Melissa Shusterman (D)**Status:** In Children & Youth; remarks in House Journal (Jun 2026)**Category:** Access study [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3110175) HB 2492Notification of child care closureMixed-Monitor Amends the Human Services Code to require childcare providers to give at least 30 days' written notice to the Department of Human Services, employees and parents before closing, including a records-preservation plan, with exceptions for disaster emergencies or emergency removal. **Sponsor:** Nathan Davidson (D–103)**Status:** Reported as amended; re-committed to Rules (Jun 2026)**Category:** Consumer/parent protection [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3879697) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #26 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #26 ## West Virginia Friendly 61/100 West Virginia is surprisingly active for a deep-red state, with a bipartisan-flavored but Republican-sponsored childcare-access push: SB 429 (Child Care Workforce Scholarship Act) appropriates $5.2M to give childcare workers full subsidy eligibility, HB 4067 extends subsidies to childcare workers and moves to a cost-of-care model, HB 5628 addresses the benefits cliff, and HB 5659 builds a true cost-of-care estimation model. SB 922 (2025) sought to coordinate Pre-K/Birth-to-Three delivery. Activity is real but mostly early-stage and workforce-focused rather than universal. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)15/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)13/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare13/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives13/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)7/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Mike Oliverio R SB 429 Sponsored the $5.2M Child Care Workforce Scholarship Act granting workers full subsidy eligibility. Kathie Crouse R HB 4067 Sponsored subsidy expansion to childcare workers plus a cost-of-care rate model. Bob Fehrenbacher R HB 5628 / HB 5659 Sponsored benefits-cliff fix and a true-cost-of-care model for subsidy rates. Mark Maynard R SB 922 Sponsored the Early Childhood Education Coordination Act to integrate Pre-K and Birth-to-Three. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** West Virginia proves conservative legislatures will move workforce-and-cost-model childcare bills; SB 429's categorical subsidy for providers is a transferable, bipartisan-friendly approach. ### Bills SB 429Child Care Workforce Scholarship ActEnabling Grants child care employees categorical eligibility for full child care subsidy benefits regardless of household income to reduce turnover and workforce shortages; appropriates $5.2M and requires annual impact reporting. **Sponsor:** Mike Oliverio (R)**Status:** To Health and Human Resources (2026)**Category:** Workforce subsidy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3807249) HB 4067Child care subsidy for employees working 20+ hours in licensed care, regardless of incomeEnabling Links subsidy payments to licensed providers by monthly enrollment, provides subsidies to child care workers regardless of income, and uses a cost-of-care model to set subsidy amounts. **Sponsor:** Kathie Crouse (R)**Status:** To House Finance (2026)**Category:** Workforce subsidy / cost model [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3804354) HB 5628Mitigating abrupt loss of child care assistance from modest income increasesEnabling Authorizes DHS to phase out child care assistance gradually to address the benefits cliff, keeping care stable as families' incomes rise toward self-sufficiency. **Sponsor:** Bob Fehrenbacher (R)**Status:** To House Health and Human Resources (2026)**Category:** Benefits cliff [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3848672) HB 5659Comprehensive model for estimating child care costs for subsidy reimbursement ratesEnabling Directs DHS to develop a comprehensive child care cost-estimation model reflecting true costs (fair wages, staffing, regional differences) to guide future subsidy reimbursement rates, with a consultant and legislative report. **Sponsor:** Bob Fehrenbacher (R)**Status:** To House Health and Human Resources (2026)**Category:** Cost model [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3849237) SB 922Streamlining and enhancing early childhood education and child care services in WVEnabling The WV Early Childhood Education Coordination Act requires the Departments of Education and Health to integrate Pre-K, Birth-to-Three, and other early childhood programs to improve access, affordability, and quality, with annual reporting. **Sponsor:** Mark Maynard (R)**Status:** To Finance (2025)**Category:** Coordination [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2247856) SB 811Creating Child Care Subsidy Pilot ProgramEnabling Establishes a Child Care Subsidy Pilot Program providing subsidies to child care workers to improve financial stability and workforce retention, running through 2028 with evaluations. **Sponsor:** Laura Chapman (R)**Status:** To Health and Human Resources (2025)**Category:** Workforce subsidy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2247840) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #27 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #27 ## Arizona Friendly 58/100 Arizona saw a heavy volume of childcare-access bills across the 57th Legislature, though most Democratic access-expansion vehicles stalled early. Signature efforts: SB 1487 / SB 1597 (Alston) to appropriate funds eliminating the child-care assistance waiting list and expand eligibility to 165% FPL; SB 1650 (Fernandez) appropriating $175M for a Quality Early Childhood Education Supplemental Assistance Grant; HB 2239 (Blackman) creating a Child Care Grant Program and Infrastructure Fund, which reached 'Do Pass Amended'; and HB 2856 (Blackman) to stand up a dedicated Department of Early Childhood Education. Republican-led human-services budget bills (HB 4162 / SB 1855, Signed) funded out-of-school-time grants. The pro-access appetite is bipartisan, but enacted expansion was limited mostly to appropriations riders. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)13/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)13/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives12/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Lela Alston D SB 1597 Lead sponsor of the child-care waitlist-elimination and 165%-FPL eligibility-expansion appropriations bills (SB 1487/1597). Brian Fernandez D SB 1650 Sponsored the $175M Quality Early Childhood Education grant program for low-income children. Walt Blackman R HB 2239 Republican sponsor of the Child Care Grant Program + Infrastructure Fund (Do Pass Amended): cross-aisle access ally. Denise Epstein D SB 1727 Sponsored child-care assistance eligibility expansion for low-income and transitioning families. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Arizona offers ready-made legislative language (a 165%-FPL eligibility expansion, waitlist-elimination appropriations, and an infrastructure grant fund) plus a bipartisan sponsor bench, but introduced bills have yet to convert into enacted, funded access rather than one-off budget lines. ### Bills SB 1597Child care; waiting list; appropriationEnabling Restructures child care assistance eligibility and prioritization by updating income thresholds and defining categories, and appropriates funds to eliminate the current waiting list and extend assistance to families up to 165% of the federal poverty level. **Sponsor:** Lela Alston (D)**Status:** Senate Second Reading (2026)**Category:** Subsidy / waitlist elimination [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3831169) SB 1487Child care; waiting list; appropriationEnabling Amends A.R.S. 46-803 to revise child care assistance eligibility, set income thresholds and priorities, and appropriates funds to eliminate the current waiting list and expand assistance to families with incomes up to 165% of the federal poverty level. **Sponsor:** Lela Alston (D)**Status:** Senate Second Reading (2025)**Category:** Subsidy / waitlist elimination [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2031698) SB 1650Early childhood education; providers; appropriationEnabling Establishes the Quality Early Childhood Education Supplemental Assistance Grant Program in the Dept. of Education for children from low-income families, sets provider eligibility and quality standards, and appropriates $175 million from the general fund with intent that funding be ongoing. **Sponsor:** Brian Fernandez (D)**Status:** Senate Second Reading (2025)**Category:** Pre-K funding / grants [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2031867) HB 2239Child care; grant program; fundEnabling Establishes a Child Care Grant Program and a Child Care Infrastructure Fund in the Dept. of Economic Security to expand accessible, affordable, quality child care in underserved and low-income areas and for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities, via grants and technical assistance. **Sponsor:** Walt Blackman (R)**Status:** Do Pass Amended (committee, 2026)**Category:** Facility funding / grants [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3800488) HB 2856Early childhood education; child care (Department of Early Childhood Education)Mixed-Monitor Establishes a dedicated Department of Early Childhood Education, consolidates child care licensing and subsidy functions, creates a voluntary certification program, and mandates an online licensing/background-check platform to reduce duplicative inspections. **Sponsor:** Walt Blackman (R)**Status:** Withdrawn from committee (2026)**Category:** Governance / consolidation [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3809104) SB 1727Child care; assistance; eligibilityEnabling Amends A.R.S. 46-803 to expand and clarify eligibility for child care assistance for families transitioning off cash assistance, low-income families, and special-circumstance families, setting income thresholds, time limits, priorities, and allowable uses tied to employment and education. **Sponsor:** Denise Epstein (D)**Status:** Senate Second Reading (2026)**Category:** Subsidy / eligibility [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833097) HB 2939Child care; subsidies; tax creditsEnabling Establishes an out-of-school-time grant program in DES for children 5-12 during non-school hours and creates tax credits for employers and insurers investing in qualified child care facilities and referral services, with caps, reporting, and a 2030 sunset. **Sponsor:** David Livingston (R)**Status:** Held in committee (2025)**Category:** Out-of-school-time / incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2031062) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #28 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #28 ## Kansas Friendly 58/100 Kansas was active on childcare in the 2025-26 biennium, but its signature move was structural, not an access expansion: HB 2045 (enacted) created a new Kansas Office of Early Childhood to consolidate day-care licensing and child-care subsidy administration. Genuine access-expansion vehicles stalled: the bipartisan HB 2689 Tri-Share child care cost-sharing program and SB 513 direct subsidy-payment modernization both died in committee. Real activity, but mostly reorganization and deregulation rather than new funding or eligibility. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)15/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)10/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives13/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Dan Osman D HB 2689 Sponsored the Tri-Share child care cost-sharing program to make care more affordable for working families. Mari-Lynn Poskin D HR 6006 Lead author of Early Childhood Advocacy Day resolution urging investment in young children and caregivers. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Kansas shows engaged sponsors and a new dedicated early-childhood agency, but the affordability tools (Tri-Share, direct subsidy payments) stalled: they had champions but no finish line. ### Bills HB 2045Kansas Office of Early Childhood; day care licensing and child care subsidy consolidationMixed-Monitor Establishes the Kansas Office of Early Childhood and moves day-care licensing, child-care subsidy administration, parent-education grants, home visitation, and Kansas Children's Cabinet functions into that office under a governor-appointed executive director; also reduces certain license fees and training requirements and authorizes pilot programs to increase child care capacity. **Sponsor:** House Commerce, Labor & Economic Development Committee (at the request of Rep. L. Williams)**Status:** Approved by Governor, Apr 24, 2025**Category:** Early childhood agency / subsidy admin [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2147143) HB 2689Kansas Tri-Share Child Care ActEnabling Creates the Kansas Tri-Share child care matching program and a dedicated fund in which employers and participating parents each pay one-third of approved child care costs and the state fund covers the remaining third, administered by the director of the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. **Sponsor:** Dan Osman (D)**Status:** Died in Committee (2026)**Category:** Cost-sharing / affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3835457) SB 513Direct child care subsidy payment softwareEnabling Requires the Kansas Department for Children and Families, with the Office of Early Childhood, to develop, procure, and implement modern software to make direct child care subsidy payments to providers. **Sponsor:** Senate Committee (Ways and Means)**Status:** Died in House Committee (2026)**Category:** Subsidy modernization [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3849749) HB 2294Child care licensing reform and early childhood transferMixed-Monitor Creates the Kansas Office of Early Childhood and transfers day-care licensing, child-care subsidy, parent education, home visitation, and children's cabinet functions into it by July 1, 2026, while reducing license fees and training requirements and authorizing capacity pilot programs. **Sponsor:** Jesse Borjon (R)**Status:** Died in Senate Committee (2026); House-passed**Category:** Licensing / capacity [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2147520) SB 132Child care fees, training requirements and capacity pilotsMixed-Monitor Establishes license fees and training requirements, creates a temporary waiver process for day-care licensees, authorizes pilot programs to increase child care facility availability or capacity, and phases early-childhood programs into the new Office of Early Childhood. **Sponsor:** Senate Federal & State Affairs Committee (at the request of Sen. Tory Marie Blew)**Status:** Died in Committee (2026)**Category:** Licensing / capacity [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2155639) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #29 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #29 ## Ohio Friendly 58/100 Ohio's 136th General Assembly shows active, bipartisan childcare-access legislation focused on workforce and eligibility. The WIN (Workforce Investment Now) for Child Care pilot appears in HB 484 (R-sponsored, $20M, advancing: reported and re-referred to Finance), SB 177, and HB 768, providing publicly funded child care to child care staff. HB 827 (D) revises income eligibility for publicly funded child care, and HB 647 restructures the publicly funded child care system. Real momentum on provider/workforce support, but no move toward universal access. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)13/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)12/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare11/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives14/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Gary Click R · Dist. 88 HB 484 Sponsored the advancing $20M WIN for Child Care workforce pilot. Louis Blessing R · Dist. 8 SB 177 Sponsored Senate WIN for Child Care pilot for childcare staff. Erika White D · Dist. 41 HB 768 Sponsored expansion of publicly funded child care to child care staff. Desiree Tims D · Dist. 38 HB 827 Sponsored bill revising income eligibility to broaden publicly funded child care. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Ohio offers strong, live models for solving the childcare-worker shortage (income-exclusion pilots for staff) and expanding subsidy eligibility: practical, bipartisan building blocks toward broader access. ### Bills HB 484Workforce Investment Now (WIN) Child Care PilotEnabling Establishes the Workforce Investment Now (WIN) for Child Care pilot, providing publicly funded child care to child care staff by excluding their income from eligibility determinations; runs FY2026-27 with a $20M appropriation and requires a findings report. **Sponsor:** Gary Click (R–88)**Status:** Reported; re-referred to Finance (Jun. 2026)**Category:** Workforce / subsidy pilot [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2236629) SB 177WIN for Child Care PilotEnabling Senate companion creating the WIN for Child Care pilot to provide publicly funded child care to staff working at least 20 hours/week, with income-exclusion eligibility criteria, a $20M FY2026 appropriation, and a post-pilot report. **Sponsor:** Louis Blessing (R–8)**Status:** Referred to committee (2025)**Category:** Workforce / subsidy pilot [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2074862) HB 768Publicly Funded Child Care for Child Care StaffEnabling Expands publicly funded child care to include child care staff working at least 20 hours/week, places administration under the Department of Children and Youth, modifies eligibility/payment procedures, and appropriates funds for FY2026-27. **Sponsor:** Erika White (D–41)**Status:** Referred to committee (2026)**Category:** Workforce support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3865792) HB 827Revise Income Eligibility for Publicly Funded Child CareEnabling Amends ORC 5104.34 and 5104.38 to revise income eligibility limits for initial and continued publicly funded child care, sets eligibility-determination timelines, details caretaker reporting duties, and outlines fee and service-prioritization rules. **Sponsor:** Desiree Tims (D–38)**Status:** Referred to committee (2026)**Category:** Eligibility expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3874213) HB 647Publicly Funded Child Care / Child Care Cred ProgramMixed-Monitor Revises Ohio's publicly funded child care law: redefining terms, restructuring administrative duties, eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, and oversight; establishes payment-rate procedures and a child care grant program while strengthening fraud-investigation powers. **Sponsor:** Phil Plummer (R–39)**Status:** Introduced (2026)**Category:** System overhaul [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3803713) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #30 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #30 ## Wisconsin Friendly 57/100 Wisconsin has heavy childcare volume but a divided slate. Democrats push access/funding: AB 1017 / SB 1016 (Wisconsin Shares subsidies for childcare-worker parents), SB 322 / AB 317 (direct monthly quality payments to providers), and SB 710 (Wisconsin Shares to tribal providers, bipartisan). Republicans favor deregulation and tax credits: SB 363 / AB 349 (raise certified-care child limits) and SB 376 (employer child care tax credit). The pro-access bills are stalled in committee while the deregulation and credit bills are the ones publishing/advancing, keeping the composite moderate. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)13/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)13/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives11/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Alex Joers D AB 1017 Lead sponsor extending Wisconsin Shares subsidies to childcare-worker parents. Sarah Keyeski D SB 322 Sponsored direct monthly provider payments to shore up childcare supply. Renuka Mayadev D AB 317 Assembly sponsor of the DCF direct-provider-payment program. Patrick Testin R SB 710 Sponsored bipartisan expansion of Wisconsin Shares to tribal providers. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Wisconsin displays both a coalition (worker-subsidy and provider-payment sponsors) and a counter-frame (deregulation over public funding); the Democratic provider-payment bills are the strongest transferable models here. ### Bills AB 1017Child care subsidies for custodial parents who are child care employees; appropriationEnabling Extends Wisconsin Shares subsidies to custodial parents employed by child care providers regardless of income limits, with a new dedicated appropriation and added administrative funding. **Sponsor:** Alex Joers (D)**Status:** Referred to Committee on Children and Families (2026)**Category:** Workforce subsidy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3838946) SB 322DCF program to make payments to child care programs; appropriationEnabling Authorizes DCF to make monthly payments directly to certified and licensed providers on top of Wisconsin Shares, with dedicated state and federal funding and new rulemaking to support provider finances. **Sponsor:** Sarah Keyeski (D)**Status:** Referred to Committee on Licensing, Regulatory Reform (2025)**Category:** Provider funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2290832) SB 710Wisconsin Shares payments to tribal-regulated child care providersEnabling Allows Wisconsin Shares subsidy payments to tribal-regulated providers operating in Indian country under federally recognized tribes, broadening eligible provider categories. **Sponsor:** Patrick Testin (R)**Status:** Available for scheduling (2026)**Category:** Access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3360122) SB 376A tax credit for employer-provided child careEnabling Creates a state income tax credit mirroring the federal employer-provided child care credit for tax years after 2025, for in-state child care expenses and services. **Sponsor:** Dan Feyen (R)**Status:** Published 4-4-2026**Category:** Employer incentive [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2290840) SB 363Allowing certified child care operators to provide care to up to six childrenMixed-Monitor Raises the number of children a certified (non-licensed) operator may care for from three unrelated children to up to six under age seven, expanding capacity without a full center license. **Sponsor:** Romaine Quinn (R)**Status:** Referred to committee (2025)**Category:** Deregulation / capacity [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2290901) AB 348The minimum age of assistant child care teachersMixed-Monitor Allows licensed centers to hire assistant child care teachers as young as 16 with specified training, while keeping the 18+ rule for sole supervision. **Sponsor:** Joy Goeben (R)**Status:** Referred to Committee on Children and Families (2025)**Category:** Deregulation / workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2290323) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #31 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #31 ## Iowa Friendly 56/100 Iowa was active but its marquee access bills mostly stalled or got restructured. HF 623 / SF 445 would open the statewide preschool program to community-based providers and expand child care assistance to the childcare workforce, but were re-referred and did not pass; HF 2221 (Croken) would strip non-income eligibility barriers from CCA but stayed in committee. What did enact (SF 2488, signed) creates an Early Childhood and Family Services system that consolidates programs and extends CCA to workforce parents: real but administrative rather than broad new subsidy. Net: solid movement, incomplete follow-through. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)14/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)12/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare11/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives10/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)9/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Ken Croken D · Dist. 97 HF 2221 Sponsored bill removing work-hour and training barriers from child care assistance, expanding eligibility. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Iowa is a partial-momentum state: the community-provider preschool model and workforce-parent CCA eligibility are live, winnable ideas, but the legislature reorganized programs (SF 2488) more readily than it expanded entitlements. ### Bills HF 623Early childhood education and care; preschool & CCA expansionEnabling Expands the statewide preschool program by letting community-based providers directly participate and receive state funding, enhances DE's curriculum/accountability role, broadens state child care assistance eligibility to include child care workforce parents, and establishes a child care continuum partnership grants pilot for full-day early childhood care. **Sponsor:** House Health and Human Services Committee (R–committee)**Status:** Re-referred to Health and Human Services (2025)**Category:** Pre-K & subsidy access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2269299) SF 445Early childhood education and care (Senate companion)Enabling Allows community-based providers to participate directly in the statewide preschool program alongside districts, sets funding procedures, expands state child care assistance eligibility to the child care workforce, and creates a child care continuum partnership grants pilot; carries appropriations. **Sponsor:** Senate Education Committee (R–committee)**Status:** Re-referred to Health and Human Services (2025)**Category:** Pre-K & subsidy access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2265641) HF 2221State child care assistance eligibilityEnabling Revises the state child care assistance program by eliminating all eligibility requirements unrelated to family income (removing parent-training, employment-hours, and special-circumstance conditions), keeping income thresholds and modifying provider reimbursement provisions. **Sponsor:** Ken Croken (D–97)**Status:** Introduced; referred to Health and Human Services (2026)**Category:** Subsidy eligibility simplification [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3831811) SF 2488Early Childhood and Family Services systemMixed-Monitor Establishes a statewide Early Childhood and Family Services system under HHS providing prevention, early intervention, and family support for children under 19, creates district advisory councils and a dedicated fund, and consolidates programs (including HOPES-HFI); the underlying SF 2462 version also extended CCA eligibility to the childcare workforce. **Sponsor:** Senate Appropriations Committee (R–committee)**Status:** Signed by Governor (2026)**Category:** System consolidation / funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3873001) SSB 3111Early childhood and family services; CCA for workforceEnabling Establishes a comprehensive Early Childhood and Family Services system under HHS with regional districts and advisory councils, and adjusts child care assistance eligibility to benefit child care workforce parents, transitioning existing programs into the ECFS framework. **Sponsor:** Senate Health and Human Services Committee (R–committee)**Status:** Committee report approving bill; renumbered SF 2462 (2026)**Category:** Subsidy access / system [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3835300) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #32 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #32 ## Alaska Friendly 55/100 In the 34th Legislature (2025-26 biennium) Alaska put real childcare-access law on the books. SB 96 (child care tax credits) was enacted (effective-date-by-chapter), broadening credits across income/insurance/oil-and-gas/mining/fisheries taxes for child-care facility contributions and raising the aggregate cap. SB 95 (child care assistance/grants) advanced to the point of a satisfied conditional effect, overhauling assistance eligibility, market-based subsidy rates, and quality grants with employer partnerships. Companion vehicles HB 190/SB 171 (child care assistance + tax credits) and the early-education FTE bills HB 183/SB 93 (count district early-ed students as full-time) round out an active, pro-access session; SB 178 early-intervention services was also enacted. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)12/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)11/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives14/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)6/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Andi Story D HB 183 Sponsored the early-education FTE bill that increases state funding for district early-education enrollment. Loki Tobin D SB 93 Senate Education chair; sponsored the companion full-FTE early-education funding bill. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Alaska is a promising incremental case: it just expanded both demand-side assistance (SB 95) and supply-side credits (SB 96), building a foundation of subsidy rates, quality grants, and pre-K FTE funding: but scope remains means-tested, not universal. ### Bills SB 96Child Care: Tax CreditsEnabling Expands multiple education-related tax credits to include expenditures and contributions for child-care facilities and payments aiding employees with child-care costs, allowing credits for operating care, contributing to nonprofit providers, and offsetting employee child-care expenses, with inflation adjustments beginning 2030. **Sponsor:** Senate Rules Committee (by request)**Status:** Enacted (effective date see chapter)**Category:** Provider/employer incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2330832) SB 95Child Care: Assistance/GrantsEnabling Revises the child care assistance and grant programs: clarifying eligibility and benefit administration, setting subsidy rates from market studies, prioritizing quality facilities through grants, adding private-employer partnership incentives, and updating the federal state plan for compliance. **Sponsor:** Senate Health & Social Services Committee**Status:** Enacted (Ch. 14 SLA 25, signed 6/24/2025); conditional effect satisfied (Mar 2026)**Category:** Subsidy / assistance expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2330830) HB 190Child Care Assistance; Tax CreditsEnabling Broadens education-related tax credits to support child-care facilities and costs, renames the day care assistance program to the child care assistance program, revises assistance provisions for low/moderate-income families, and raises the aggregate credit cap from $3M to $10M. **Sponsor:** House Rules Committee**Status:** In committee: referred to Education (2025)**Category:** Subsidy + incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2330653) HB 183Early Education Programs (full-time-equivalent student count)Enabling Changes the count of students in district-wide early education programs from one-half FTE to a full FTE for funding purposes and repeals related statutes, effectively increasing state funding for early education enrollment. **Sponsor:** Andi Story (D)**Status:** In committee (2025)**Category:** Pre-K funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2330646) SB 93Early Education Programs (FTE count)Enabling Counts each district-wide early education student as a full-time-equivalent instead of half for education metrics and funding and repeals related statutes to restructure early education programs. **Sponsor:** Loki Tobin (D)**Status:** Referred to Finance (2025)**Category:** Pre-K funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2330827) SB 178Expand Early Intervention ServicesEnabling Integrates early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities into the state medical assistance program as optional services, updating eligibility and service provisions and requiring periodic reporting. **Sponsor:** Senate Health & Social Services Committee**Status:** Enacted (effective date see chapter, 2026)**Category:** Early intervention / birth-to-three [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2330913) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #33 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #33 ## Georgia Friendly 55/100 Georgia saw a genuine bipartisan crop of childcare-access bills in 2025-26, though most were early in the process. HB 1147 (Georgia Childcare for Economic Well-Being Act) would supplement CAPS subsidy reimbursement rates; SB 554 creates a Child Care Facilities grant program prioritizing rural areas; and HB 99 makes the state child/dependent care tax credit fully refundable at 100% of the federal credit. HB 269 (a provider liability-insurance mandate) is a compliance cost, not an access expansion. Activity is meaningful but mostly stalled in second-reader status. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)13/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)11/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare11/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives12/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Phil Olaleye D HB 1147 Lead sponsor of the CAPS reimbursement-supplement act expanding subsidy value for low-income families. Chuck Payne R SB 554 Republican sponsor of the rural-focused child care facilities grant program: a cross-party access ally. Carolyn Hugley D HB 99 Sponsor making the state child/dependent care tax credit fully refundable at 100% of the federal credit. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Georgia offers a Southern, bipartisan proof point: a Democrat-led CAPS reimbursement boost, a Republican-led rural facilities grant, and a refundable care tax credit: evidence that childcare access can advance across the aisle, even if enactment lagged. ### Bills HB 1147Georgia Childcare for Economic Well-Being ActEnabling Creates a grant program to supplement CAPS provider reimbursement rates, covering the gap between published provider rates and CAPS reimbursement plus family fees, prioritizing highest-need families when funds are limited. **Sponsor:** Phil Olaleye (D)**Status:** House Second Readers (2026-02-04)**Category:** Subsidy reimbursement supplement [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3833455) SB 554Child Care Facilities Grant ProgramEnabling Establishes the Georgia Child Care Facilities Program providing grants to construct, renovate and expand child care learning centers and family child care homes, prioritizing rural areas and special populations, with a five-year licensed-operation requirement. **Sponsor:** Chuck Payne (R)**Status:** Senate Read and Referred (2026-02-25)**Category:** Facility funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3855019) HB 99Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: Full RefundabilityEnabling Revises the state income tax credit based on the federal child and dependent care credit, increasing it to 100% and making it fully refundable so taxpayers receive a refund when the credit exceeds tax liability. **Sponsor:** Carolyn Hugley (D)**Status:** House Second Readers (2025-01-28)**Category:** Childcare tax credit [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2036211) HB 269Child Care Learning Center Insurance RequirementsMixed-Monitor Requires child care learning centers and family child care homes to carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate: a provider compliance cost rather than an access expansion. **Sponsor:** Rick Townsend (R)**Status:** House Second Readers (2025-02-06)**Category:** Provider mandate [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2037047) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: GA: SB 554: Child Care Facilities Grant Program on rural provider access](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/8a648299-f3bf-4c7d-ba40-a5ab2ea50755)▶ GA: SB 554: Child Care Facilities Grant Program on rural provider access SB 554 presenter, Senate Education & Youth Committee (bill sponsor Sen. Chuck Payne, R) · 6118-6198 “Our state loses $2,520,000,000 with a B annually in economic activity because families are struggling to find and afford childcare. And childcare providers struggle to get the capital they need to expand, renovate, and serve kids... Particularly in our rural environments, you'll see a huge divide between who is able to access small business loans and who cannot.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/8a648299-f3bf-4c7d-ba40-a5ab2ea50755?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #34 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #34 ## Oklahoma Friendly 55/100 Oklahoma's 2025 childcare slate is real but mixed. HB 1848 (employer childcare tax credit, 30% of costs capped at $30k/employer and $5M/year) passed the House 63-19 and advanced to the Senate General Order, and HB 2125 loosens early-childhood-education adjunct-teacher rules: both pro-access. But SB 382 cuts the other way, conditioning pre-K enrollment on toilet-training, a barrier to access. No universal or broad subsidy-expansion regime moved. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)12/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)10/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives14/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)7/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Suzanne Schreiber D · Dist. 70 HB 1848 Primary House author of the employer childcare tax credit expanding access to care. Kristen Thompson R · Dist. 22 HB 1848 Principal Senate author of HB 1848; bipartisan lead on employer childcare incentives. ### Skeptics · opposed David Bullard R SB 382 Senate author of the pre-K toilet-training enrollment restriction that narrows access. **Why it matters:** Oklahoma offers a bipartisan employer-incentive template (HB 1848), but the state has no subsidy-eligibility or public-provision expansion to build on, and SB 382 shows an active restrictive current to watch. ### Bills HB 1848Income tax credit for childcare expenses / employer childcareEnabling Establishes a tax credit for employers who provide childcare assistance: effective 2026-2030, a credit equal to 30% of expenses for employee childcare costs, operating childcare facilities, or reserving childcare spots, capped at $30,000 per employer annually and $5 million in total credits per fiscal year, to incentivize employer-supported childcare and improve access. **Sponsor:** Suzanne Schreiber (D–70)**Status:** Passed House 63-19; Placed on Senate General Order (Apr 2025)**Category:** Employer childcare tax credit [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2174806) HB 2125Adjunct teachers in early childhood education programsMixed-Monitor Amends adjunct-teacher authorization to allow adjunct teachers in early childhood education classrooms at all grade levels (without standard certification), while requiring ECE adjuncts to complete state-approved cognitive-science-of-reading training within two years and barring them from teaching special education. **Sponsor:** Clay Staires (R)**Status:** Placed on General Order (Apr 2025)**Category:** ECE workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2175824) SB 382Toilet-training requirement for prekindergarten enrollmentRestrictive Requires children to be toilet trained before enrolling in prekindergarten starting 2025-2026, with exemptions for children with disabilities under IDEA/Section 504; sets district processes for handling untrained children and updates related early-childhood eligibility and attendance provisions. **Sponsor:** David Bullard (R)**Status:** Passed Senate 43-1; Referred to House Common Education (Apr 2025)**Category:** Pre-K enrollment restriction [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2171446) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #35 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #35 ## Arkansas Mixed 52/100 Arkansas's 2025 Regular Session produced a solid slate of enacted childcare-access laws even as its most ambitious tax-credit expansions died. Enacted: Act 504 (HB 1733, Carr) folding the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success pre-K program into the broader ABC program and extending eligibility to children birth through age five; Act 587 (SB 148, English) creating a voluntary Arkansas Teacher Retirement System pathway for early-childhood workers; and Act 865 (HB 1817, Johnson) establishing Elijah's Law statewide childcare anaphylaxis safety policy. The FY2027 fiscal-session appropriation (HB 1055 / Act 126) funds the Office of Early Childhood with $9M in child care program grants. Notably, the strongest demand- and workforce-side proposals: HB 1435 employer/provider childcare credits, HB 1019 Affordable Childcare Act, and HB 1021 early-childhood workforce quality tax credit (Garner): all died in committee at sine die. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)11/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)10/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives13/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)6/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Joey Carr R HB 1733 Sponsored the enacted ABC pre-K consolidation extending eligibility to children birth through age five. Jane English R SB 148 Sponsored the enacted early-childhood workforce retirement-access act (Act 587). Denise Garner D HB 1019 Lead author of the Affordable Childcare Act and the early-childhood workforce credit: the state's most aggressive affordability/workforce advocate. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Arkansas shows a Republican-controlled legislature willing to expand pre-K eligibility and fund provider grants, but repeatedly killing broader affordability/workforce tax credits: the Garner-authored Affordable Childcare and workforce-credit bills remain the likeliest vehicles to return. ### Bills HB 1733Amends the Arkansas Better Chance Program ActEnabling Folds the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Program into the broader ABC Program with unified eligibility, expands the age range to children birth through age five, and lets the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education administer both together. **Sponsor:** Joey Carr (R)**Status:** Enacted: Act 504 (2025)**Category:** Pre-K eligibility expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2207245) SB 148Creating an Investment Opportunity for Early Childhood Workers Act of 2025Enabling Adds qualifying early-childhood childcare employment to the ATRS definition of 'employment with a school' and creates a voluntary teacher-retirement participation mechanism for eligible early childhood workers through a nonprofit pass-through agent (no state match). **Sponsor:** Jane English (R)**Status:** Enacted: Act 587 (2025)**Category:** Workforce support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2206525) HB 1055Dept. of Education – Office of Early Childhood appropriation, FY2026-2027Enabling Authorizes FY2026-27 funding for the Office of Early Childhood, including $9,000,000 for child care program grants and expenses and $200,000 for childcare facility grants, alongside operations and federal expense lines, effective July 1, 2026. **Sponsor:** Joint Budget Committee**Status:** Enacted: Act 126 (2026 Fiscal Session)**Category:** Appropriations / childcare grants [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3871407) HB 1435Income tax credits for child care; employer-provided and licensed providersEnabling Replaces the prior employer-provided child-care credit with a new employer credit for eligible child-care expenses and creates a separate licensed-childcare-provider credit based on average monthly enrollment, with per-employer/statewide caps and rural/small-business set-asides. **Sponsor:** Brandon Achor (R)**Status:** Died in House committee at sine die (2025)**Category:** Provider/employer incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2205084) HB 1019Affordable Childcare Act of 2025Enabling Creates a new refundable income tax credit for businesses that pay for, provide, or purchase childcare-access services for employees, with rates and caps by employer type, requiring licensed care, replacing the existing employer-operated facility credits. **Sponsor:** Denise Garner (D)**Status:** Died in House committee at sine die (2025)**Category:** Affordability / employer assistance [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2204508) HB 1021Early Childhood Education Workforce Quality Incentive ActEnabling Creates a refundable income tax credit ($1,800-$3,000) for early-childhood directors, teachers, and instructional staff in Better Beginnings-rated programs who earn below the state K-12 minimum teacher salary. **Sponsor:** Denise Garner (D)**Status:** Died in House committee at sine die (2025)**Category:** Workforce support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2204495) HB 1817Elijah's Law: statewide childcare anaphylaxis policyMixed-Monitor Directs the Departments of Education and Health to establish a statewide anaphylaxis policy for childcare facilities (emergency protocols, epinephrine dosing, staff training, family communication), with facilities allowed to use federal CCDBG funds for training and supplies. **Sponsor:** Lee Johnson (R)**Status:** Enacted: Act 865 (2025)**Category:** Childcare safety standards [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2205163) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #36 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #36 ## Missouri Mixed 52/100 Missouri's childcare action centered on a bipartisan tax-credit package: the Child Care Contribution, Employer-Provided Assistance, and Child Care Providers tax credits (HB 269 Shields R / HB 215 Crossley D / SB 455 Hough R in 2025; HB 2409 Shields advanced 'Voted Do Pass (S)' in 2026). The FY2027 education budget (HB 2002) funds childcare subsidy operations. Progress is real but incentive-based (credits) rather than universal-access or large new subsidy expansions, and 2025 versions stalled short of enactment. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)13/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)9/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare13/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives12/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)5/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Brenda Shields R · Dist. 11 HB 2409 Lead Republican sponsor of the childcare tax-credit package that advanced to Senate Do Pass in 2026. Aaron Crossley D · Dist. 29 HB 215 Democratic sponsor of the companion childcare tax-credit bill: bipartisan incentive support. Lincoln Hough R · Dist. 30 SB 455 Senate sponsor of childcare tax credits targeting child care deserts (Do Pass in committee). ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Missouri offers a red-state, market-incentive childcare model (three stacked tax credits targeting 'child care deserts') that contrasts with direct-subsidy approaches: a notable bipartisan on-ramp in conservative states. ### Bills HB 2409Child Care Contribution / Employer-Provided / Providers Tax CreditsEnabling Establishes three tax-credit programs to promote childcare availability and quality: credits for contributions to providers, for employer childcare spending, and for providers' eligible expenses, prioritizing 'child care deserts,' with caps and sunset provisions. **Sponsor:** Brenda Shields (R–11)**Status:** Voted Do Pass (S) (2026-05-07)**Category:** Tax credits / incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3737833) HB 269Child care tax credits (Contribution, Employer, Providers)Enabling Creates the Child Care Contribution, Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance, and Child Care Providers tax credits to incentivize contributions, employer investment, and provider operations, emphasizing accessibility in child care deserts. **Sponsor:** Brenda Shields (R–11)**Status:** Placed on Informal Calendar - SA 2, SS pending (2025-05-06)**Category:** Tax credits / incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/2152962) HB 215Child care tax credits (Democratic-sponsored companion)Enabling Establishes the same three childcare tax-credit programs with eligibility criteria, credit caps, verification, and priority for child care deserts to expand availability and quality of care beginning tax year 2026. **Sponsor:** Aaron Crossley (D–29)**Status:** Referred: Emerging Issues (H) (2025-05-15)**Category:** Tax credits / incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/2152937) SB 455Authorizes tax credits for child careEnabling Creates three childcare tax-credit programs (contribution, employer-provided, and provider credits) with application, verification, caps, child-care-desert provisions, and a December 2031 sunset. **Sponsor:** Lincoln Hough (R–30)**Status:** Voted Do Pass, S Emerging Issues Committee (2025-04-01)**Category:** Tax credits / incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/2154952) HB 2002DESE / Education appropriations (FY2027) with childcare subsidyMixed-Monitor FY2027 education appropriations (~$8.43B) including early-childhood and childcare-subsidy line items, plus childcare-subsidy operating directions such as absence allowances, rate ceilings, reporting, and CCDF fund handling. **Sponsor:** Dirk Deaton (R–159)**Status:** Delivered to Secretary of State (G) (2026-06-30)**Category:** Budget / childcare subsidy operations [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3817772) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #37 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #37 ## Indiana Mixed 51/100 Indiana had meaningful but mixed activity in 2025-2026. Enacted SB 463 (PL 140) sets up an early-childhood advisory committee, workforce studies, and a provider pilot, and SB 366 (PL 135) touches pre-K funding access; Democratic bills HB 1640 (pre-K expansion grant fund) and SB 213 (raised pre-K income eligibility + funding) pushed further but stalled. Much of the enacted work (HB 1253, SB 345, HB 1018) is deregulation, licensing flexibility, and property-tax relief rather than direct subsidy expansion, keeping this squarely mid-pack. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)12/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)11/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare10/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives11/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)7/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Carey Hamilton D · Dist. 87 HB 1640 Authored pre-K expansion grant fund with continuous General Fund appropriations. Fady Qaddoura D · Dist. 30 SB 213 Authored bill raising pre-K income eligibility and boosting early-education funding. Ed Charbonneau R · Dist. 5 SB 463 Authored enacted childcare reform (PL 140) with provider pilot and workforce/compensation studies. Linda Rogers R · Dist. 11 SB 345 Authored employer child-care property-tax incentive to grow supply. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Indiana is a state to watch: a Republican legislature will fund pilots, workforce studies, and employer/provider tax relief, and access expansion has moved furthest when paired with the workforce-supply framing lawmakers already accept. ### Bills SB 463Child care mattersMixed-Monitor Establishes an advisory committee to set developmental goals and assess program quality, mandates annual review of staff-to-child ratios and group sizes benchmarked to neighboring states, creates a provider pilot program, sets caregiver training/certification standards, and orders compensation and regulatory-streamlining studies. **Sponsor:** Ed Charbonneau (R–5)**Status:** Public Law 140 (enacted 2025)**Category:** System reform / workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2035180) HB 1640Prekindergarten program enrollmentEnabling Redefines pre-K eligibility, establishes a new prekindergarten expansion grant fund with continuous General Fund appropriations, sets provider standards, and adds reporting and accountability measures to grow the state pre-K program. **Sponsor:** Carey Hamilton (D–87)**Status:** First reading; referred to committee (2025), did not advance**Category:** Pre-K access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2034496) SB 213K-12 education funding (pre-K eligibility)Enabling Increases income eligibility for prekindergarten programs, raises school funding 6% in 2026-2027, sets a $65,000 minimum teacher salary by 2027, and creates a $50 million student support and teacher-retention grant program. **Sponsor:** Fady Qaddoura (D–30)**Status:** Third author added (2025), did not advance**Category:** Pre-K access / funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2034934) SB 345Property tax matters (employer child care)Enabling Provides a partial property-tax exemption for employers providing child care on their property and for early-childhood education providers meeting curriculum standards, and tasks the Secretary of FSSA with recommending changes to child care licensing requirements. **Sponsor:** Linda Rogers (R–11)**Status:** Coauthor added (2025)**Category:** Employer / facility incentive [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2035044) HB 1253Child care (multi-site licensing)Mixed-Monitor Creates an organizational license category letting multi-site child care centers under one owner apply and pay a single fee, limits enforcement of new building/fire/equipment rules on recently inspected sites, and extends waiver/variance durations to three years. **Sponsor:** Dave Heine (R–85)**Status:** Public Law 160 (enacted 2025)**Category:** Licensing flexibility [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2032312) HB 1018School age child careMixed-Monitor Updates school-age child care grant provisions, removes the transportation-provision requirement, and expands administrative and operational standards (cost, staffing, nutrition, emergency health services, applications) under the Division of Family Resources effective July 1, 2026. **Sponsor:** Dale DeVon (R–5)**Status:** Public Law 17 (enacted 2026)**Category:** Program administration [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3359840) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #38 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #38 ## Florida Mixed 48/100 Florida's 2026 childcare activity is real but modest and provider/regulation-focused rather than an access expansion. SB 1690 (enacted, Ch. 2026-140) overhauls child care and early learning licensing/standards and creates a dedicated early-learning support fund. Access-expansion efforts stalled: SB 946, which would have studied a public-employee childcare assistance program, died in committee. The net picture is administrative modernization with limited new subsidy/eligibility expansion. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)12/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)9/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare10/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives9/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Kristen Arrington D SB 946 Sponsor of the (failed) bill to study a public-employee childcare assistance program: the clearest access advocate in FL's slate. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Florida illustrates the ceiling in a regulation-first state: even an enacted childcare bill focuses on licensing and a support fund rather than broad subsidy eligibility, and a Democratic study bill on assistance died: a caution about how far access expansion can advance there. ### Bills SB 1690Child Care and Early Learning ServicesMixed-Monitor Revises registration, training, licensing and operational requirements for family and large family child care homes, sets minimum standards for license-exempt facilities, creates a dedicated fund to support early learning, and enhances provider reporting, oversight and support services. **Sponsor:** Appropriations Committee**Status:** Enacted: Chapter No. 2026-140 (2026-06-12)**Category:** Licensing / support fund [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3797703) SB 946Study on Childcare Assistance ProgramsEnabling Would have directed OPPAGA to study the feasibility and impacts of a public-employee childcare assistance program in Florida, analyzing other states' programs, cost savings, and effects on school readiness and the childcare workforce, with a report due January 2027. **Sponsor:** Kristen Arrington (D)**Status:** Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability (2026-03-13)**Category:** Assistance study [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3762071) HB 47Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective InvestigationsMixed-Monitor Adds child-protection procedures for cases involving specified preexisting medical diagnoses, governing when DCF forwards allegations, second-opinion medical examinations, and consultation requirements: child-welfare procedure rather than childcare access. **Sponsor:** Health & Human Services Committee**Status:** Enacted: Chapter No. 2026-165 (2026-06-26)**Category:** Child protection procedure [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2268469) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #39 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #39 ## South Dakota Mixed 48/100 South Dakota's 2025 session produced a real cluster of childcare-access bills, though most stalled or were vetoed. HB 1132 (Healy/Reed) would have made childcare workers earning up to 300% FPL eligible for assistance and passed both chambers before the governor vetoed it and the House failed to override. SB 126 (Reed/Weems) sought to peg provider reimbursement to the 90th percentile of the market-rate survey, and SB 118 (Davis) aimed to open childcare assistance to graduate students; both were deferred in committee. Activity is genuine but enacted gains are thin. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)10/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)12/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare10/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives10/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)6/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Erin Healy D · Dist. 14 HB 1132 Prime sponsor of bill making childcare workers up to 300% FPL eligible for assistance; passed both chambers before veto. Tim S. Reed R · Dist. 7 SB 126 Prime sponsor of provider-reimbursement bill (90th percentile market rate) and co-prime on HB 1132; a Republican ally on access. Keri K. Weems R · Dist. 9 SB 126 Prime co-sponsor of the provider-reimbursement bill. Sydney Davis R · Dist. 17 SB 118 Prime sponsor of bill extending childcare assistance eligibility to graduate students. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** South Dakota shows a bipartisan bloc willing to file provider-reimbursement and worker-eligibility bills, but a hostile executive branch and committee deferrals have so far kept filed bills from becoming law. ### Bills HB 1132Establish eligibility in the child care assistance program for certain child care employeesEnabling Amends the child care assistance program to exclude the income of certain child care employees from eligibility determination: employees working at least 30 hours/week at licensed or registered facilities qualify if household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, helping childcare workers access benefits. **Sponsor:** Erin Healy (D–14)**Status:** Passed both chambers; vetoed by Governor; veto sustained (3/31/2025)**Category:** Worker eligibility / subsidy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3348180) SB 126Determine payments for the child care assistance programEnabling Requires the Department of Social Services to base child care assistance provider payments on at least the 90th percentile of the recent market-rate survey across program types and age groups, and makes rulemaking to administer the program mandatory rather than optional. **Sponsor:** Tim S. Reed (R–7)**Status:** Deferred to 41st legislative day in Senate Appropriations (2/20/2025)**Category:** Provider reimbursement [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3348774) SB 118Allow graduate students to be eligible for child care assistanceEnabling Directs the Department of Social Services to amend administrative rules by 9/30/2025 to make graduate students eligible for child care assistance, removing the ineligibility of individuals pursuing a degree beyond a bachelor's and updating credit-hour/attendance requirements. **Sponsor:** Sydney Davis (R–17)**Status:** Deferred to 41st legislative day in Senate Health & Human Services (2/7/2025)**Category:** Eligibility expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3348820) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #40 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #41 ## New Hampshire Mixed 47/100 New Hampshire's 2026 childcare activity leans toward business tax incentives and administrative fixes rather than direct subsidy expansion: HB1433 (Kuttab, R) creates a child day care creation tax credit (enrolled), SB654 (Sullivan, R) offers employer on-site childcare credits, and SB608 (Watters, D) expands scholarship access for kinship/caregiver families (effective 2026). Several access-oriented bills died: SB243 scholarship reform was tabled and HB671 (kindergarten readiness) was killed ITL. Middling score: real movement, but incentive/credit-driven and provider-side, with subsidy expansion inconsistent. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)10/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)9/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare9/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives11/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)8/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window David Watters D · Dist. 4 SB 608 Sponsored enacted expansion of childcare scholarship access for caregiver families. Katelyn Kuttab R · Dist. Rockingham 17 HB 1433 Sponsored enrolled childcare-creation tax credit expanding licensed seats. Victoria Sullivan R · Sen. Dist. 18 SB 654 Sponsored employer on-site childcare tax-credit bill. Denise Ricciardi R · Dist. 9 SB 243 Sponsored scholarship-program streamlining / presumptive-eligibility pilot. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** NH is a partial mover: bipartisan appetite exists via tax credits and a Democratic-led scholarship expansion (SB608), but the state has not embraced publicly-funded universal care and killed its broader access bills. ### Bills HB 1433Child care creation tax credit for qualifying businessesEnabling Creates a child day care creation tax credit for businesses that create or expand licensed childcare seats on/after Jan 1 2027: 50% of qualifying property and operational expenditures against the BPT/BET, capped at $5M/year with a four-year carryforward. **Sponsor:** Katelyn Kuttab (R–Rockingham 17)**Status:** Enrolled (2026-06)**Category:** Provider/facility incentive [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3373063) SB 608Family caregiver support & child care support for kinship caregiversEnabling Adds no-cost, evidence-based training for childcare providers, adds retirement-age status as a scholarship work-requirement modification, and eliminates family cost shares for scholarship children in caretaker-relative care: expanding childcare scholarship access. **Sponsor:** David Watters (D–4)**Status:** Enacted: remainder effective 2026-05-28**Category:** Scholarship access expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3264193) SB 654Tax credits for employer on-site child care & employee health coverageEnabling Creates a BPT credit for employers providing on-site/nearby childcare (20% of expenditures up to $100k/yr, $2.5M statewide cap, four-year carryforward) plus a separate employee health-coverage credit. **Sponsor:** Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R–District 18)**Status:** Pending: Refer to Finance (2026-03-05)**Category:** Employer childcare incentive [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3824905) SB 243Improvements to the child care scholarship programEnabling Streamlines the childcare scholarship program via a presumptive-eligibility pilot, prospective provider payments, elimination of hourly attendance reporting, and an application-process study to reduce burdens on families and providers. **Sponsor:** Denise Ricciardi (R–9)**Status:** Laid on table (2025-05-22)**Category:** Subsidy administration [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2037827) HB 1720Notice to child day care providers of child care scholarshipsMixed-Monitor Requires DHHS to electronically notify a licensed childcare program within three business days when a scholarship application names it, and again on approval/denial/withdrawal: an administrative access improvement with no new funding. **Sponsor:** Katy Peternel (R–Carroll 6)**Status:** Laid on table for funding (2026-03-26)**Category:** Subsidy administration [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3638971) HB 671Kindergarten literacy readiness programMixed-Monitor Would have created a statewide virtual/tech-supported early literacy readiness program for 4- and 5-year-olds not yet in kindergarten, with DHHS notifying FANF/WIC families; killed ITL. **Sponsor:** Mark Pearson (R–Rockingham 34)**Status:** Killed: Inexpedient to Legislate (2026-01-07)**Category:** Early childhood readiness [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2037984) ### Hearing clips [ ![Hearing clip: NH: SB 654: Sen. Victoria Sullivan on employer on-site childcare tax credit](https://app.uslege.ai/api/clip-thumbnail/9876941b-1907-4346-87fa-ca2ade1341e9)▶ NH: SB 654: Sen. Victoria Sullivan on employer on-site childcare tax credit Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R) · 4176-4363 “SB 654 would help to increase access to childcare for working families by incentivizing businesses to have childcare facilities on-site... a tax credit equal to 20% of qualifying expenditures related to providing said child care, up to $100,000 per fiscal year.” Watch clip ](https://app.uslege.ai/share/9876941b-1907-4346-87fa-ca2ade1341e9?from=clips) Only one clippable on-topic hearing found for this state; a second real clip was not available (no other on-topic hearing or opposition testimony). #41 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #40 ## North Carolina Mixed 47/100 North Carolina's 2025 session shows real, largely bipartisan childcare activity but stops short of a comprehensive access regime. HB 800 (Review Effectiveness & Delivery of Child Care) directs a study of subsidy delivery and pilots automatic subsidy eligibility for full-time childcare teachers' children, and HB 420 (Sound Basic Education for Every Child) folds early childhood education improvements into a broad education-funding overhaul. Most measures are study/pilot-scale rather than universal, and several are stuck in Appropriations, so the state lands mid-pack. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)11/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)10/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare9/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives10/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)7/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window David Willis R · Dist. 68 HB 800 Prime sponsor of childcare subsidy-delivery study and teacher-child subsidy pilot. Erin Paré R · Dist. 37 HB 800 Prime co-sponsor of the childcare subsidy/workforce pilot bill. Lindsey Prather D · Dist. 115 HB 800 Bipartisan co-sponsor supporting childcare subsidy delivery reform. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** NC is a moderate reference point: notable for the teacher-subsidy pilot model and bipartisan framing, but not a source of comprehensive universal-access statute. ### Bills HB 800Review Effectiveness & Delivery of Child CareEnabling Directs the Division of Child Development and Early Education to study the effectiveness and delivery of major child care initiatives and to pilot a program granting automatic child care subsidy eligibility to full-time child care teachers' preschool-age children, with funding, reporting requirements, and directives to improve subsidy allocation, teacher retention, and access. **Sponsor:** David Willis (R–68)**Status:** Passed 1st reading; ref. Appropriations (2025)**Category:** Subsidy / workforce pilot [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2087146) HB 420Sound Basic Education for Every ChildEnabling Broad public-education bill that includes improving early childhood education alongside educator recruitment/retention, funding-formula reform for equity and adequacy, and accountability systems; early childhood is one component of a wide-ranging package. **Sponsor:** NC House sponsors (D)**Status:** In committee (2025)**Category:** Early education / funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2086767) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #42 of 49 Bill activity: 2024–2026 #42 ## Alabama Restrictive 42/100 Alabama's childcare-access footprint is real but narrow and largely tax-credit/appropriations driven rather than a comprehensive access regime. The signature move was the enacted 2024 Child Care and Workforce Development package (HB 358 / SB 280, building on the 2023 HB 368 / SB 273) creating employer, facility, and nonprofit-provider tax credits; the FY2027 Education Trust Fund appropriations act (HB 238, Enacted) and its FY2026 predecessor (SB 112) fund the Department of Early Childhood Education and pre-K. Recent 2025-26 bills were mostly ancillary (HB 319 Imagination Library literacy; HB 78 early-childhood screen-time standards, Enacted). No new subsidy-eligibility expansion or universal pre-K push advanced. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)9/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)6/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives12/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)3/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Anthony Daniels D HB 358 House Minority Leader; prime author of the enacted childcare tax-credit/workforce package expanding provider and employer support. Garlan Gudger R SB 280 Senate sponsor of the companion childcare facility/employer credit + nonprofit grant program: bipartisan supply-side ally. Terri Collins R HB 319 Sponsored the Imagination Library early-childhood program under the Dept. of Early Childhood Education. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Alabama is a supply-side, business-incentive state: the door is open on employer/provider tax credits and a well-regarded state pre-K, but there is no demand-side subsidy-eligibility or universal-access vehicle to build on: universal childcare would be a net-new frame here. ### Bills HB 358Child care and workforce development; employer tax credit, child care provider tax credit, nonprofit grant programEnabling Establishes a program to improve childcare availability and quality via tax credits for employers and childcare providers plus grants for nonprofit childcare providers, to incentivize employer investment and expand capacity and workforce participation, with caps, eligibility criteria, certification requirements, and Revenue/Human Resources administration. **Sponsor:** Anthony Daniels (D)**Status:** Enacted (2024 Regular Session)**Category:** Provider/employer incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2220763) SB 280Child care and workforce development; employer tax credit, childcare facility tax credit, nonprofit childcare provider grant programEnabling Establishes an employer tax credit, a childcare facility tax credit, and a nonprofit childcare provider grant program to incentivize employer investment in childcare and boost workforce participation by reducing childcare barriers, with funding caps and eligibility criteria for 2025-2029. **Sponsor:** Garlan Gudger (R)**Status:** Died (2024, pending in House of origin)**Category:** Provider/employer incentives [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2221164) HB 238Appropriations from the Education Trust Fund for public education, FY ending Sept 30, 2027Enabling Education Trust Fund appropriations act for FY2027 allocating funds across public education programs and agencies, including early childhood education, with conditions, reporting requirements, and accountability provisions. **Sponsor:** Danny Garrett (R)**Status:** Enacted (2026 Regular Session)**Category:** Appropriations / pre-K funding [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3806015) HB 319Imagination Library of Alabama Program (Dept. of Early Childhood Education)Enabling Establishes the Imagination Library of Alabama under the Department of Early Childhood Education to provide free monthly books to children birth to age five via Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, with a state/local/private funding mechanism and public reporting. **Sponsor:** Terri Collins (R)**Status:** In committee / Second reading (2025 Regular Session)**Category:** Early childhood literacy [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/1885586) HB 78Healthy Early Development and Screen Time ActMixed-Monitor Establishes statewide screen-time guidelines and educator training requirements for licensed child-care facilities, pre-K, and kindergarten for children birth to five, folding compliance into licensing. Quality/standards measure rather than an access expansion. **Sponsor:** Jeana Ross (R)**Status:** Enacted (2026 Regular Session)**Category:** Early childhood standards [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3360040) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #43 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #43 ## South Carolina Restrictive 42/100 South Carolina has genuine pro-access bills filed but little movement. SB 47 raises the employer childcare tax credit and adds a refundable credit for childcare directors and staff; HB 4394 directs DSS and Employment & Workforce to provide childcare stipends for unemployed parents during job searches; HB 4015 is a childcare bill filed but with no AI summary or action beyond first reading. All remain parked in Ways & Means / Finance with no floor action, indicating interest without momentum. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)8/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)8/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare8/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives12/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)6/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Tom Davis R · Dist. 46 SB 47 Sponsor of the expanded employer childcare credit and refundable credit for childcare workers. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers D · Dist. 31 HB 4015 Sponsor of a childcare-access measure; potential Democratic ally on expansion. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** South Carolina shows targeted incentive ideas (SB 47's workforce-focused refundable credit) and a workforce-stipend concept (HB 4394), but the absence of any advancing subsidy-eligibility or universal framework makes it a low-activity, early-stage environment. ### Bills SB 47Childcare employer credit / childcare worker creditEnabling Increases the maximum tax credit for employers who establish childcare programs and expands the taxes the credit can offset, and creates a new refundable income tax credit for full-time childcare directors and staff based on qualification levels, to incentivize childcare provision and support workers; new credit expires 2030. **Sponsor:** Tom Davis (R–46)**Status:** Referred to Senate Finance (Jan 2025)**Category:** Tax credits / workforce support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2041809) HB 4394Workforce development childcare stipendsEnabling Directs the Department of Social Services and the Department of Employment and Workforce to collaborate in providing workforce-development childcare stipends for unemployed parents/caregivers, covering childcare for children under twelve during job interviews, with statewide capacity to serve eligible families. **Sponsor:** Jermaine Johnson (D)**Status:** Referred to House Ways and Means (Apr 2025)**Category:** Subsidy / workforce access [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2043121) HB 4015ChildcareMixed-Monitor Childcare-related measure introduced and referred to Ways and Means; no USLege AI summary available and no action beyond first reading, indicating an early-stage filing. **Sponsor:** Rosalyn Henderson-Myers (D–31)**Status:** Introduced; referred to House Ways and Means (Feb 2025)**Category:** Childcare (general) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2042514) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #44 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #44 ## Utah Restrictive 42/100 Utah's 2025 session touched childcare mostly through provider-capacity and budget channels rather than broad access expansion. SB 264 (Escamilla) creates a Child Care Center Business Management Certificate Program at Utah State University to grow the supply of regulated providers. The enacted appropriations bills SB 8 (state agency fees/rates) and SB 7 (Social Services base budget) fund DHHS children-and-family programs. There is no comprehensive subsidy-expansion or universal pre-K vehicle, so activity is real but narrow and supply-side. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)8/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)9/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare12/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives9/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)4/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Luz Escamilla D · Dist. 10 SB 264 Sponsor of the childcare provider-certification / capacity bill; leading Democratic voice on childcare supply. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Utah signals appetite for supply-side and workforce-pipeline fixes (provider certification) more than demand-side subsidy expansion; Sen. Escamilla has been the leading legislative voice, and the open question is whether childcare gets framed as an access/affordability issue rather than just a business-training one. ### Bills SB 264Higher Education Certification Amendments (Child Care Center Business Management Certificate)Enabling Establishes a Child Care Center Business Management Certificate Program at Utah State University to teach licensing, regulatory, and business-management skills for operating regulated childcare centers, with curriculum development and annual enrollment/outcome reporting to the Legislature starting 2027. **Sponsor:** Luz Escamilla (D–10)**Status:** Filed (3/7/2025); did not pass**Category:** Provider pipeline / workforce [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2033039) SB 7Social Services Base BudgetMixed-Monitor Appropriates and adjusts the FY2025-2026 budgets for Utah's Department of Health and Human Services across divisions including children and family services, with funding sources, spending authorizations, and performance-measure requirements. **Sponsor:** Keven Stratton (R–24)**Status:** Enacted; Governor signed (2/14/2025)**Category:** Appropriations (DHHS / children & family) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2032783) SB 8State Agency Fees and Internal Service Fund Rate Authorization and AppropriationsMixed-Monitor Authorizes FY2026 appropriations, fees, and internal-service-fund rates across Utah state agencies and institutions, with budget increases and decreases spanning multiple departments; touches childcare only via broad agency funding. **Sponsor:** Scott Sandall (R–1)**Status:** Enacted; Governor signed (3/25/2025)**Category:** Appropriations / fees [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2032786) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #45 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #45 ## Mississippi Restrictive 41/100 Mississippi saw ambitious pro-access bills filed but none advanced. The Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2026 (HB 156 Scott; HB 255 Clark) and Early Learning Collaborative expansion (HB 1215 McCarty; SB 2482 Wiggins) would have moved toward statewide voluntary pre-K, but all died in committee in February 2026. Democratic sponsors led the universal push while Republicans led the Collaborative-expansion track. Real ideas, near-zero enactment: moderate-low score reflecting intent without traction. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)10/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)11/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare7/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives6/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)7/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Omeria Scott D · Dist. 80 HB 156 Authored the Universal Pre-K Program Act: statewide publicly funded pre-K (died in committee). Bryant Clark D · Dist. 47 HB 255 Authored a companion Universal Pre-K Program Act pushing publicly funded four-year-old access. Kent McCarty R · Dist. 101 HB 1215 Authored bipartisan Early Learning Collaborative statewide expansion toward universal voluntary pre-K. Brice Wiggins R · Dist. 52 SB 2482 Sponsored consolidating state pre-K funds into the Early Learning Collaborative to broaden reach. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Mississippi shows where universal-pre-K framing exists but stalls; the filed-but-dead bills (esp. the bipartisan Early Learning Collaborative expansion) identify champions and a policy vehicle that could return, rather than a track record to point to. ### Bills HB 156Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2026Enabling Establishes a statewide publicly funded voluntary prekindergarten program for four-year-olds with quality standards for public and private providers, district tuition payments, and joint administration by the State Board of Education and Division of Early Childhood Care and Development. **Sponsor:** Omeria Scott (D–80)**Status:** Died in Committee (2026-02-03)**Category:** Universal pre-K [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3793534) HB 255Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2026Enabling Creates a publicly funded, voluntary prekindergarten system for four-year-olds with minimum quality standards, funding mechanisms, and collaboration between the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development. **Sponsor:** Bryant Clark (D–47)**Status:** Died in Committee (2026-02-03)**Category:** Universal pre-K [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3793710) HB 1215Early Learning Collaboratives; expand statewide by 2030-31Enabling Directs the State Department of Education to phase in an expanded voluntary pre-K program via Early Learning Collaboratives beginning 2026-27, targeting statewide coverage by 2030-31 with coordination among public schools, Head Start, private/parochial schools, and licensed childcare centers. **Sponsor:** Kent McCarty (R–101)**Status:** Died in Committee (2026-02-03)**Category:** Pre-K expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3815489) SB 2482Early Learning Collaboratives; transfer State-Invested Pre-K monies toEnabling Terminates the State-Invested Pre-K program July 1, 2026 and reallocates all funds and participants to the Early Learning Collaborative Program, with definitions, funding phases, and quality standards to unify state pre-K. **Sponsor:** Brice Wiggins (R–52)**Status:** Died in Committee (2026-02-03)**Category:** Pre-K consolidation [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3815536) HB 126TANF child care and transportation during orientationEnabling Requires the Department of Human Services to provide childcare and transportation for TANF applicants during application and orientation, with eligibility and supportive-service provisions to promote family self-sufficiency. **Sponsor:** Robert Johnson (D–94)**Status:** Died in Committee (2026-02-03)**Category:** Subsidy support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bill/3793391) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #46 of 49 Bill activity: 2025 #46 ## North Dakota Restrictive 41/100 North Dakota's biennial 69th Assembly (2025-27) engaged childcare mostly through appropriations and incentives rather than universal access. SB 2282 (enacted, signed Apr. 30) creates a 50% employer income-tax credit for child care contributions, and the HHS/OMB budget bills (HB 1012, HB 1015) fund child care assistance and infant/toddler provider support payments. Broader ambitions failed: SB 2389 (child care infrastructure study) died 4-41 and HB 1510 (school-district onsite child care) failed 22-24, signaling limited appetite for expansion. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)9/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)8/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare10/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives9/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)5/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Kathy Hogan D · Dist. 21 SB 2282 Sponsored enacted employer child care tax credit and the (failed) infrastructure study bill. Alisa Mitskog D · Dist. 25 SB 2282 Co-sponsored the enacted employer child care contribution tax credit. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck R · Dist. 25 HB 1510 Sponsored bill to let school districts provide onsite child care (narrowly failed). ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** ND is a low-activity, incentive-oriented benchmark: the employer tax credit and provider support payments show incremental willingness, but repeated failures of study/expansion bills underscore the political ceiling in conservative states. ### Bills SB 2282Employer Child Care Contribution Tax CreditEnabling Establishes an income tax credit for qualified employers who contribute toward employees' child care costs: 50% of eligible contributions up to $1,000 per qualified employee, applied in the year contributions are made, with defined criteria for qualified employers, employees, and providers. **Sponsor:** Kathy Hogan (D–21)**Status:** Signed by Governor (Apr. 30, 2025)**Category:** Employer incentive [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3308996) HB 1012DHHS Appropriations (child care assistance provisions)Enabling Biennial DHHS appropriation for 2025-27 that, among many health and human services provisions, modifies state-of-residence rules for child care assistance and funds related programs, adjusting payment rates and administrative requirements. **Sponsor:** House Appropriations Committee**Status:** Signed / filed with Secretary of State (2025)**Category:** Appropriations / assistance [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3308098) HB 1015OMB Appropriations (infant & toddler care support)Enabling OMB biennial appropriation that modifies provisions related to the North Dakota development fund and infant and toddler care provider support payments, alongside broader state fiscal management measures. **Sponsor:** House Appropriations Committee**Status:** Signed / filed with Secretary of State (2025)**Category:** Appropriations / provider support [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3308106) SB 2389Child Care Infrastructure StudyEnabling Would have directed Legislative Management to study child care infrastructure (availability, affordability, funding mechanisms, and regulatory processes) with recommendations and potential legislation; failed to pass 4-41. **Sponsor:** Kathy Hogan (D–21)**Status:** Failed second reading 4-41 (2025)**Category:** Study (failed) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3309122) HB 1510Onsite Child Care for School DistrictsEnabling Would have provided financial planning resources for new teachers, enabled school districts to provide onsite child care, and initiated legislative studies on teacher benefits and recruitment; narrowly failed 22-24. **Sponsor:** Cynthia Schreiber-Beck (R–25)**Status:** Failed second reading 22-24 (2025)**Category:** Provider / workforce (failed) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3308605) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #47 of 49 Bill activity: 2026 #47 ## Louisiana Restrictive 34/100 Louisiana's childcare docket is dominated by ceremonial resolutions: 'A Day Without Child Care' (HR 261/SR 115), 'Early Ed Day' (HR 287/SR 123), and Child Care Association Day (SR 79): which signal advocacy but change no law. The only substantive vehicles were SB 445, which would broaden and stabilize the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund (up to a $30M annual balance for CCAP-eligible slots) but stalled in Finance, and HB 1146 (enacted), which merely restructures early-childhood governance. Real momentum in the advocacy community, thin in enacted access-expansion. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)8/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)6/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare8/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives7/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)5/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Thomas Pressly R SB 445 Sponsored the substantive expansion and stabilization of the Early Childhood Education Fund for CCAP-eligible slots. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Louisiana pairs strong grassroots signaling (Ready Louisiana Coalition) with weak legislative follow-through; the most notable vehicle is SB 445's Early Childhood Education Fund expansion, which had a Republican sponsor. ### Bills SB 445Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund expansionEnabling Amends the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund by broadening funding sources, mandating annual general-fund deposits to maintain a balance up to $30 million, remitting year-end unencumbered Department of Education balances to the fund, and removing the appropriation requirement for disbursements: to support local expansion of quality early childhood slots for CCAP-eligible families. **Sponsor:** Thomas Pressly (R)**Status:** Referred to Committee on Finance (2026); did not advance**Category:** Dedicated funding / subsidy slots [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3870328) HB 1146Early Childhood Care and Education Commission restructuringMixed-Monitor Consolidates the Early Childhood Care and Education Commission and the Advisory Council into a single commission with expanded membership and authority to set a statewide vision, provide policy recommendations, oversee program coordination, and serve as the state's Head Start advisory council. **Sponsor:** John Wyble (R)**Status:** Enacted; effective 05/29/2026**Category:** Governance [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3870548) HR 261A Day Without Child Care (2026)Mixed-Monitor Designates May 12, 2026, as 'A Day Without Child Care' to raise awareness of underfunding, low provider wages, and workforce instability in early childhood education, and calls for increased investment; creates no new legal mandate. **Sponsor:** Dana Henry (D)**Status:** Adopted / filed with Secretary of State**Category:** Awareness resolution [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3880083) HR 287Commends Ready Louisiana Coalition / Early Ed DayMixed-Monitor Commends the Ready Louisiana Coalition and designates May 19, 2026, as Early Ed Day, emphasizing early childhood education's role in development, workforce participation, and the economy while noting cost and access barriers; no funding mechanism. **Sponsor:** Laurie Schlegel (R)**Status:** Adopted (2026)**Category:** Awareness resolution [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3881428) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #48 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #48 ## Idaho Most restrictive 29/100 Idaho's childcare action is thin and framed around integrity/work-conditioning rather than access. SB 1419 creates an 'Idaho Child Care Program' but ties assistance to work/education activity and explicitly bars expansion without legislative approval, and SB 1428 appropriates federal dollars to expand capacity but restricts uses. The only clear access-expanding measure, Rep. Rubel's HB 958 raising income eligibility to 175% FPL, was introduced late and did not advance. There is no comprehensive pro-access regime here. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)5/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)6/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare9/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives4/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)5/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Ilana Rubel D · Dist. 18 HB 958 House Minority Leader; sponsored the lone access-expanding bill raising childcare income eligibility to 175% FPL. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Idaho is a low baseline: assistance exists but is means- and work-tested with a no-expansion clause, so near-term movement is more likely on subsidy funding levels and income caps than on building universal pre-K. ### Bills SB 1419Idaho Child Care ProgramMixed-Monitor Establishes the Idaho Child Care Program to provide assistance to low-income families participating in work or educational activities, with eligibility criteria, provider requirements, integrity/oversight measures, limits on program expansion without legislative approval, and a 2028 sunset. **Sponsor:** Senate State Affairs Committee (R–committee)**Status:** Failed: defeated on Senate rules-suspension vote 11-23 (2026)**Category:** Subsidy (work-conditioned) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3867568) SB 1428Appropriation, H&W, Child Youth & Family, additional (FY2027)Enabling Provides additional FY2027 appropriations to Health & Welfare's Early Learning and Development and related divisions, prioritizing funds to expand childcare capacity for underserved populations, with limits barring use for construction or providers under fraud investigation. **Sponsor:** Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (R–committee)**Status:** Recommitted to Finance (2026)**Category:** Funding / appropriations [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3868213) HB 958Child care, income eligibilityEnabling Amends Idaho Code to set income eligibility for the Idaho Child Care Program at or below 175% of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2026, defining clearer income requirements for families to qualify for assistance. **Sponsor:** Ilana Rubel (D–18)**Status:** Printed; filed with Chief Clerk (2026), no further action**Category:** Eligibility expansion [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3869802) SB 1206Appropriation, H&W, Early Learning & Development, additional (FY2026)Enabling Appropriates additional (and reduces certain) funds for H&W's Early Learning and Development division for FY2026, allocating federal funds to expand child care programs statewide with funding restrictions and conditions. **Sponsor:** Senate Finance Committee (R–committee)**Status:** Effective 07/01/2025**Category:** Funding / appropriations [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2308472) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). #49 of 49 Bill activity: 2025–2026 #49 ## Wyoming Most restrictive 24/100 Wyoming had essentially no successful childcare-access legislation in its 2025–2026 sessions. The child tax credit (HB 104, Rep. Yin, D) died in committee, and enacted child-related bills were not access measures: SF 88 restricts where sex offenders may live near child care facilities, and the enacted school-finance bills (HB 110 failed introduction; SF 81/HB 110 recalibration) touch early childhood only tangentially. Most education bills (ESAs, literacy, discipline) failed introduction outright. There is no active subsidy, universal pre-K, or provider-funding push. Active, comprehensive childcare legislation (session window)4/25 Access expansion (subsidies, eligibility, universal pre-K)5/20 Funding & appropriations for childcare5/20 Provider & workforce support / facility incentives5/20 Breadth (infant–pre-K, low-income, rural, employer)5/15 ### Allies · favorable to active and friendly to childcare access: states with recent, active legislation that expands childcare access and affordability: subsidy/assistance eligibility, universal or publicly-funded pre-K and childcare, provider and workforce support, facility funding, and dedicated appropriations. HIGH scores (toward 100) = lots of active, pro-access legislation in the session window; LOW scores (toward 1) = little or no active childcare legislation in the session window Mike Yin D HB 104 Sponsored a child tax credit to ease family costs; the bill died in committee. ### Skeptics · opposed No sponsor-derived skeptics. **Why it matters:** Wyoming is nearly a blank slate: no live access-expansion vehicle exists, and the legislators engaged on the issue (e.g., Rep. Yin) are working from failed bills rather than momentum. ### Bills HB 104Child tax creditEnabling Establishes a $200-per-child tax credit for Wyoming residents against state taxes paid, with a $5M appropriation; administered by the Department of Revenue. Died in committee. **Sponsor:** Mike Yin (D)**Status:** Died in Committee (2025)**Category:** Family affordability [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/2323180) HB 64Enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate - maternal servicesMixed-Monitor Would authorize enhanced Medicaid reimbursement for maternal service providers in rural/frontier areas to improve prenatal and postpartum care access; failed introduction. **Sponsor:** Ken Clouston (R)**Status:** Failed Introduction 27-34 (2026)**Category:** Maternal/early health [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3830083) SF 88Sex offenders - residence near child care facilitiesMixed-Monitor Prohibits adult sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of child care facilities with notification requirements; a child-safety measure, not a childcare-access or funding bill. **Sponsor:** Tim Salazar (R)**Status:** Enacted - Chapter 59 (2026)**Category:** Child safety (not access) [View on USLege →](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/3841721) ### Hearing clips No clippable hearing available for this state (copyright-locked video or no recorded/transcribed hearing on the topic). Unlock the full report ### See all 49 states Tell us who you are to unlock every state card, bill, and sponsor in this report, free, no credit card required. Track every childcare-access bill in every state, live, with the hearing video behind each one. [Book a demo →](/demo) ## Frequently asked Which states are moving fastest on childcare access? California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Mexico score highest in this report, each with a dense slate of enacted or advancing bills expanding subsidy eligibility, funding, and provider support in the 2025-2026 sessions. Which states have the least childcare-access legislative activity? Wyoming, Idaho, and Louisiana score lowest, with little or no active legislation expanding subsidies, pre-K access, funding, or provider support in the current session window. Does this score measure current childcare law or legislative activity? It measures legislative momentum, not law currently in force. Introduced, advancing, failed, and vetoed bills all contribute to the score, so a high score means active pro-access legislative effort, not necessarily enacted law. Where does this data come from? Bill-level data comes from USLege's live legislative tracking database, covering 233 bills across all 49 scored states. Nevada is not in the USLege bill database, so its entry is sourced from state legislative databases and agency sources instead.