Appropriations Committee discusses H.248 to expand emergency childcare grants and change CCFAP payment rules

At its April 20, 2025 meeting, the Appropriations Committee reviewed H.248, a House bill that would allow the commissioner to reserve up to one-half of 1% (0.5%) of Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP) funds to provide expedited financial relief to childcare programs ‘‘at risk of closing or not opening’’ and would revise CCFAP rules to reflect new federal requirements for contracted spots and upfront payments to providers.

The bill’s sponsors and witnesses said the changes are aimed at reducing disruptions when a program closes or when an otherwise-ready program needs emergency help to open. "This is H-two 48, and it deals with various topics pertaining to childcare," said Katie McGlenn, Office of Legislative Counsel, introducing the measure. She said the draft clarifies that the commissioner "may provide extraordinary financial relief" to licensed, registered or programs in the process of becoming licensed, and that committees wanted language to allow money to follow children to minimize disruption.

Rep. Esme Cole of the House Committee on Human Services, who…