Senate approves childcare amendments allowing advisory board, donations; nonprofit competition challenged

The Utah Senate on Jan. 24 passed Senate Bill 11, a package of childcare changes that defines child care "from the ages of 12 through 18," creates an advisory board, requires an annual report from the Office of Child Care and permits the office to accept donations through trust funds.

Senator Beverly Evans, the bill sponsor, summarized the measure in floor remarks and said it focuses on three main points: the statutory definition of child care, clarifying the office’s duties and reporting, and enabling private donations to support childcare services. "One of the greatest needs we have in this state is our childcare," Evans said on the floor.

Not all senators supported the approach. Senator Butters said he had "real heartburn about government operations that also wanna compete directly head to head with philanthropic organizations," arguing that creating government-controlled trust funds could undercut private charities that currently fill such roles.

Evans responded that the bill is intended to expand options for donors and private providers and to ensure donated funds can be used for childcare programs without requiring direct control by the Office of Child Care. After brief questions and replies on the floor, the Senate called the question and passed SB 11 by roll call, 23 yeas to 3 nays, with three senators absent. The bill will be sent to the Utah House for further consideration.

The next procedural step is House consideration; the Senate record shows the bill was referred to the House upon passage.