Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Childcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Business group urges outreach after employer childcare match had low uptake
Summary
The Greater North Dakota Chamber supported HB1012 childcare measures but told lawmakers the employer‑matched childcare program needs broader outreach and more flexible eligibility and contribution rules to increase employer participation.
BISMARCK — The Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) testified in support of House Bill 10‑12 to sustain childcare funding but urged stronger outreach and program adjustments so employers can feasibly participate in employer‑match childcare incentives.
Why it matters: Childcare availability affects labor supply. GNDC cited employer surveys showing childcare as a top hiring challenge and suggested program design limits are reducing employer uptake.
What GNDC said - Andrea Fennig (Vice President of Government Affairs, GNDC) said the 2023 legislative package included a historic $65.6 million to address childcare shortages and noted the employer match program (working parents’ childcare relief) provided benefits beginning June 2024. GNDC’s survey showed 70% of employers reported hiring difficulties and 69% said childcare affects their workforce.
- Problems identified: eligibility income thresholds excluded some employees; the age limitation (only children ages 0‑3 qualified initially) created inequities among employees with different‑aged children; employer administrative burden was high for large employers; and required employer contribution amounts were inflexible (initially $300/month per employee, later modified to $150/month).
- Fennig said awareness was low (GNDC survey reported only 33% of respondents aware of the employer‑match program) and offered to partner on outreach; she said GNDC had offered the department help with employer toolkits and outreach but felt the offer wasn’t fully utilized.
Ending GNDC told the committee it supports effective and rapidly deployed childcare solutions and urged additional outreach, program flexibility and collaboration between the department and business groups to raise employer participation.
