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First hearing held for House Bill 2 to create Child Care CRED public‑private subsidy program
Summary
Rep. Mark Johnson sponsored House Bill 2 to create a tri‑share Child Care CRED program that would split childcare costs among employee, employer and a state fund, with an initial $10 million allocation and eligibility rules to be set in implementation.
Representative Mark Johnson testified to the House Children and Human Services Committee in sponsor testimony that House Bill 2 would establish a Child Care CRED program under the Department of Children and Youth as a public‑private solution to Ohio's childcare shortage.
The nut graf: The bill would create a tri‑share subsidy where participating employers and employees apply, providers must be licensed, and the department would match costs; the sponsor recommended an initial $10,000,000 allocation to start the program and anticipated using a first‑come, first‑served distribution.
Johnson said the program is voluntary for both employers and employees, requires an employer to have more than one employee to participate, and would require participating childcare providers to be appropriately licensed and certified. "The cost of child care would be shared equally by participating employees, their employer, and the department," he said. He added the $10,000,000 figure was to get the program started and said additional funds would allow the program to serve more families.
Committee members asked about eligibility and comparisons to prior bills. Johnson said the bill mirrors a previously introduced proposal (House Bill 610 in the prior General Assembly) and that rule‑making could establish further operational guidelines on eligibility and wage levels.
Ending: The committee held the bill's first hearing and heard questions; no vote or final action was taken at this hearing.
