North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

North Dakota Senate Bill SB2306

Introduced
1/20/25  
Refer
1/20/25  

Caption

The establishment of a child care workforce recruitment and retention program.

Impact

If enacted, SB2306 would have a significant impact on state laws regarding child care funding and workforce stability. The bill mandates that licensed providers receive monthly payments depending on the number of infants, toddlers, and school-aged children they care for. This legislative action could mitigate some of the financial challenges faced by child care providers and promote a more stable workforce, addressing both recruitment and retention issues that currently plague the sector.

Summary

Senate Bill 2306 aims to establish a child care workforce recruitment and retention program in North Dakota. The bill addresses the critical shortages in the child care workforce by creating a framework for providing financial incentives to licensed early childhood services providers. These incentives aim to support the ongoing recruitment and retention of staff, which is essential for ensuring the availability of quality child care services across the state. The program outlines specific payments based on the number of children under care, structured as monthly incentives that vary according to the age group of children serviced.

Contention

While the bill seeks to address the urgent needs of the child care workforce, it may prompt discussions regarding qualifications for receiving incentive payments. Providers must demonstrate that payments are directed toward improving salary and benefit conditions for workers; however, the inclusion of a stipulation that excludes providers with corrective action orders within the last three months could spark debate. Critics may argue that this criterion could inadvertently disadvantage some providers struggling to maintain compliance under challenging conditions, raising concerns about fairness in access to support.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

ND SB2301

The establishment of a child care stabilization program.

ND SB2104

Early childhood services, resource and referral services, workforce development, early childhood inclusion support program, best in class program, and disclosure of child abuse and neglect confirmed decisions involving early childhood services.

ND SB2012

The autism voucher; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a report; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

ND SB2084

Child care assistance payments to providers.

ND HB1018

The legacy investment for technology program, the North Dakota development fund, the workforce enhancement council, the administration of uncrewed aircraft system programs, workforce development grants to tribally controlled community colleges, and a North Dakota development fund grant program; to provide a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a report; and to declare an emergency.

ND SB2182

The definition of early childhood services.

ND SB2051

Fingerprint criminal history record checks for certified family foster home for children providers and psychiatric residential treatment facility for children, identifying who the department of health and human services may require criminal history record checks from, and criminal history record checks for volunteers and students for field placement at child-placing agencies and children's advocacy centers.

ND HB1298

Proof of liability insurance for early childhood programs; to provide for application; and to provide an effective date.

ND SB2190

The child care assistance program; and to provide a statement of legislative intent.

ND SB2393

The state leave sharing program, capitol grounds rent collections, and the law enforcement retirement program; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide a report; to provide for a retroactive application; and to provide an effective date.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.