Connecticut House Bill HB05981

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/19
• Refer: 1/24/19

Caption

An Act Concerning The Allocation Of Slots For State-funded Child Care Centers.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5981 would significantly impact the operation of state-funded child care centers by allowing them equal resource allocation as school readiness programs. This is particularly crucial given the importance of early childhood education and development. By standardizing this aspect of child care funding, the bill aims to enhance the availability of affordable child care options for families who may struggle financially, potentially leading to improved educational outcomes for children in these programs.

Summary

House Bill 5981, introduced by Representative Cook, seeks to amend section 8-210 of the general statutes to create parity in the allocation of state-funded slots between child care centers and school readiness programs. The proposed amendment would permit a child care center to utilize the same percentage of slots for families with incomes at or below seventy-five percent of the state median income, aligning them with the existing policies of school readiness programs. This legislative move is aimed at ensuring equitable access to child care resources for low and moderate-income families.

Contention

While the bill aims for equity in child care resources, debates may arise regarding the adequacy of state funding for child care centers and whether this adjustment would satisfy the increasing demand for child care services. Critics of the bill might argue that simply amending allocation percentage does not address the broader systemic issues of underfunding and access to quality child care which affect many families. Furthermore, discussions could surface around the implications of such changes on the existing budget allocations for related educational programs or the potential need for increased funding to support the expanded access addressed in the bill.