Child Care Is an Economic Issue
Child care is a key issue being discussed by legislators in Annapolis this session, and one that profoundly shapes the strength of our economy and our communities.
Research continues to show that when child care is inaccessible or unaffordable, it impacts not only families but also businesses and economic growth. In fact, national research estimates that barriers to appropriate and affordable child care cost the U.S. economy more than $170 billion each year in lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue.
That is why the work happening in Annapolis on child care matters so much and why I will continue to work with my colleagues across the State to develop solutions to meet the child care needs of Maryland families.
The House and Senate recently reached a budget agreement to increase child care funding by $20 million. This funding will support the Child Care Scholarship Program, which helps low-income families afford child care by providing financial assistance directly to them.
The scholarships can also indirectly support child care providers by ensuring families can pay for care, but the primary focus is on helping families access services. While this $20 million increase will not eliminate the current waitlist for child care scholarships, it is an important step forward that could help thousands of Maryland families afford quality child care.
Among the measures moving forward:
House Bill 849 and House Bill 1321 are companion measures aimed at expanding access to child care scholarships and strengthening early childhood programs across Maryland.
These bills successfully passed the House and aim to:
- Codify existing Maryland State Department of Education waitlist priorities while adding priority for homeless children and children under age three.
- End “presumptive eligibility,” which has proven costly and often resulted in families not qualifying long-term. Presumptive eligibility allows families to receive childcare assistance immediately based on an initial screening while full eligibility is verified.
- Establish a sliding-scale co-pay system, providing full scholarships for families below the poverty line and partial scholarships for other eligible families.
House Bill 561 and Senate Bill 467: These bills maintain funding for the Maryland Child Care Credential Program at least at the level appropriated in fiscal year 2024.
Senate Bill 503: This bill complements HB849 and HB1321 by requiring $450,000 annually to support the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program, which helps expand the supply of family child care businesses across Maryland.
I will continue to track these bills closely and keep you updated.
Learn more about additional childcare in Maryland:
- House approves trio of child care bills, as new scholarship enrollments remain frozen
- Nine months later, freeze on child care scholarship remains, with outlook dim
- New Report Finds the Economic Impact of Child Care Challenges Totals $172 Billion Annually
- First Five Years Fund: Maryland State Fact Sheet
As your Delegate, I remain committed to advancing policies that support working families, strengthen our child care system, and ensure that Maryland’s economy works for everyone.
As always, if you have thoughts or questions, please reach out to me at tazeen@tazeenformaryland.com. Thank you for staying informed and engaged.
We have several opportunities for us to talk in-person and for you to meet my team.
Please join us for one of our upcoming events or sign up to volunteer with the campaign.
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With heart and purpose,
Tazeen Ahmad
Candidate for Delegate
Leading with Heart, Delivering with Purpose