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Lawmakers and advocates press to protect Maryland’s Child Care Scholarship from copays and waitlists
Summary
At a Budget & Taxation subcommittee hearing, DLS and MSDE outlined FY25 childcare spending pressures, proposed cost‑containment options (copays, possible enrollment freeze), and witnesses urged the committee to reject measures that would reduce access to the Child Care Scholarship Program.
Maryland lawmakers, agency officials and child‑care advocates urged the Budget & Taxation Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee to preserve access to the state’s Child Care Scholarship Program as the department and analysts described a fiscal shortfall and potential cost‑containment steps.
During the committee’s fiscal 2025 budget review, DLS analyst Natalie Andrade said the Child Care Scholarship Program’s costs increased sharply after policy changes and higher enrollment, and the fiscal 2025 allowance includes a proposed general‑fund deficiency of $217.9 million to cover prior shortfalls and anticipated spending. DLS highlighted administrative and technology changes (a replacement of the CCAPS system), the end of one‑time ARPA supports, and a projected…
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