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House advances scholarship expansion for child-care workers but income-eligibility boost fails
Summary
Lawmakers advanced House Bill 456 to expand Best Beginnings scholarships for child-care workers and re-referred it to appropriations; a companion bill raising family eligibility to 85% of state median income and adding $17 million a year failed second reading after extended debate.
The Montana House voted to advance House Bill 456 on second reading Wednesday, a measure to expand Best Beginnings childcare scholarships to cover children of employees who work in licensed day‑care centers and registered family or group day‑care homes, and sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee for funding consideration.
The move comes after extended debate about workforce shortages, program costs and long‑term fiscal impact. Representative Carlin, the sponsor, said the measure is intended to help retain and recruit childcare workers and described a pilot showing a 20% improvement in retention: “It is really, really hard for childcare facilities to retain workers,” Carlin said during committee remarks.
Why it matters: Supporters said the measure targets a key bottleneck in Montana’s labor market — parents and potential workers who can’t take paid jobs because they lack affordable childcare — while opponents warned it shifts a large recurring…
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