Michigan Senate Bill SB0310

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/15/25
• Refer: 5/15/25

Caption

Children: child care; tri-share child care program; establish. Amends 1973 PA 116 (MCL 722.111 - 722.128) by adding sec. 6b.

Impact

The establishment of the tri-share child care program and fund will have significant implications for state laws governing child care services. By providing a designated source of funding and ensuring the involvement of various stakeholders, such as existing child care facilitator hubs, the bill aims to enhance access to affordable child care. The funds can be allocated to both administer the program and support ongoing operations, which is crucial for expanding child care availability across Michigan. Importantly, the bill allows for the creation of new hubs as long as there is sufficient funding, which can lead to increased participation from various counties, thereby broadening the program's reach.

Summary

Senate Bill 310 aims to amend the 1973 Public Act 116, which is focused on the licensing and regulation of child care organizations in Michigan. The bill introduces the tri-share child care program to the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, providing a structured framework for facilitating child care services. Additionally, the bill creates a tri-share child care fund within the state treasury intended to secure funding for the program and ensure its effective implementation. This program is a continuation of a child care pilot project initiated under previous legislation, reflecting an ongoing commitment to support child care services in the state.

Contention

Notably, while the bill has garnered support for providing a structured approach to child care funding, there may be avenues of contention regarding the allocation of funds and the limits on who can receive them. The requirement that child care facilitators must be organized as nonprofit entities or specific corporate structures may exclude some potential providers from participating in the program. This could raise concerns around the availability of diverse child care options and whether the nonprofit model can sufficiently meet the demand for child care services in every region of the state.