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Business, YMCA and chambers urge tweaks to child-care program; providers press for support to sustain infant‑toddler capacity
Summary
Business groups and YMCA providers told the Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division that North Dakota’s child-care support programs need administrative fixes and provider support, emphasizing the critical shortage in 0–3 care and recommending provider subsidies and better outreach.
Representatives of the Greater North Dakota Chamber and the YMCA Alliance told the Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division that House Bill 10-12 and related child-care measures are steps forward but need administrative fixes and provider funding to succeed.
Andrea Fenwick of the Greater North Dakota Chamber said employers report hiring difficulties and identified child care as a primary workforce constraint; she asked the committee to sustain the Working Parents Child Care Relief Program while increasing flexibility (for example, expanding eligible ages from 0–3 to 0–5), simplifying administration for employers, and improving outreach because awareness of the program was low among businesses.
Bill Bauman, CEO of the Missouri Valley Family YMCA, described the financial pressure on providers, especially for 0–3 care. He presented a “breakeven” analysis showing that infant-toddler classrooms are loss-making under current rates and staffing ratios (4:1 for infants under current licensing rules), while preschool classrooms can be more financially sustainable. The Y asked for targeted provider support focused on keeping 0–3 slots open — including a potential provider support fund and expanded administrative flexibility for employer-based programs — and praised state programs that have helped, such as CCAP and a worker-benefit reimbursement that covers child care for staff working 25+ hours.
Committee members asked whether licensing ratios were a studied lever; witnesses said licensing is set by state rules and while some states vary ratios, changing ratios would require careful study because safety and quality are important. Bauman said provider stabilization could require substantial funding (he suggested a multi‑million dollar stabilization pool over a biennium) but did not propose a specific single‑line appropriation in the hearing.
Committee members also discussed whether direct payments to parents to stay home would be an alternative; the chamber witness said programs should offer options to families but employers and providers favor measures that preserve workforce access and expand care availability.
No formal amendment to HB 10-12 was taken during child-care testimony; members signaled interest in continuing work on administrative changes and potential provider-support funding.
