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Committee unanimously backs expanding childcare property tax credit to $10,000 to support providers
Summary
The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee unanimously recommended advancing a bill to increase the county property tax credit for childcare providers from $3,000 to $10,000, expand eligibility to large family childcare homes and remove an outdated post-1987 improvement requirement; staff and sponsors said outreach will be important to
The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee unanimously recommended advancing a bill that would expand the county property tax credit for childcare providers, raise the maximum credit from $3,000 to $10,000 and broaden eligibility to include large family childcare homes.
Council staff said the change is enabled by state legislation (HB 389) and would remove an outdated requirement that only facilities improved after 1987–1988 qualify. The bill would also update terminology to match state law and allow expanded enhancements to real property used by large family child care homes that serve nine to 12 children, staff said.
Sponsors and supporters told the committee the change is intended to help retain and grow childcare capacity in the county amid a statewide decline in licensed providers. Committee members praised the bill as a timely step; Council member Casanova called the measure a “no‑brainer” and other members said it would make a “massive impact” for providers it reaches. Staff noted testimony from Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr and the Community Action Board in support, and the committee packet referenced a state Comptroller’s report that the state has lost licensed providers and home‑based providers in recent years.
Council staff and members emphasized that outreach will be needed because existing tax credits have reached only a small number of businesses; staff identified only five businesses that had taken the older credit, and members urged the county executive’s office to work on communications and implementation if the council passes the expansion. The committee recorded a unanimous recommendation to advance the bill to the full council.
