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Proposal would expand local authority to offer property tax credits to child‑care providers
Summary
A bill would let counties and municipalities broaden and increase existing property tax credits for child‑care providers (including large family child‑care homes); advocates and the Maryland Association of Counties backed the measure as another tool to stabilize and support a shrinking child‑care sector.
Delegate Julie Palakovich‑Carr presented House Bill 389 to expand and increase local enabling authority for property tax credits to child‑care providers and for businesses that offer on‑site child care. She told the committee the existing statutory authority dates to the 1980s, is limited to new construction or additions and excludes some provider types; four counties already use the authority in limited form.
Christina Push of the Maryland State Child Care Association testified in strong support, saying child‑care providers operate on narrow margins (often less than 1 percent) and that Maryland has lost licensed providers and capacity in recent years. Push said a survey of providers across 17 counties showed broad support for expanded property tax relief. Kevin Kennelly of the Maryland Association of Counties also supported the enabling bill, saying it gives localities more flexibility to support providers while recognizing county circumstances vary.
Sponsor and witnesses emphasized the bill is enabling — it does not require jurisdictions to adopt credits — and that it increases the statutory cap to better reflect current property tax burdens for providers, including large family child‑care homes.
Why it matters: supporters said targeted local property tax relief could help stabilize independent providers and preserve child‑care capacity essential for parent workforce participation; the bill imposes no direct state fiscal obligation because it only expands local options.
Next steps: committee had no questions requiring amendment in the hearing record; proponents sought a favorable report.
