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House committee hears bill to require three‑day notice to childcare providers for scholarship applications
Summary
Lawmakers heard HB 17-20, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to notify licensed childcare providers within three business days when an applicant names them on a childcare scholarship application and again when a decision is made. DHHS said the change may require one-time IT updates and offered to provide process details in writing.
Representative Lisa Mazur, sitting in for Representative Petterno, introduced HB 17-20 on behalf of the Childcare Scholarship Program, saying the bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to notify licensed providers within three business days when a family names them on a scholarship application and again when that application is approved, denied or withdrawn. Mazur described the change as a targeted, low‑cost step that would reduce financial uncertainty for programs operating with tight margins and help families get timely access to care.
DHHS witnesses Karen Hebert, Director of the Division of Economic Stability, and Brian Clark, General Counsel, told the committee the department would notify only licensed providers who are registered and who have opted in to receive communications. They said the state uses multiple systems (including the NH EZ application portal and a provider registry) and the fiscal note identifies costs to modify interfaces so the eligibility system can reliably push notifications. The department confirmed that administrative rule gives applicants up to 30 days to supply provider information and said its current case management process already communicates with providers once their identity is known. Hebert and Clark asked for time to provide a side‑by‑side comparison of current practice and the bill’s effect.
Stakeholders including Jackie Cowell, Executive Director of Early Learning New Hampshire, urged passage, saying child care programs need the verification that an application was filed so they can hold spots on wait lists and maintain cash flow. Committee members pressed DHHS for baseline data: the agency said an approval decision averaged 11 days in a recent check but that the 30‑day administrative rule remains the formal timeframe. DHHS offered to provide the committee with application volume, delivery methods for notifications, and a written comparison of current and proposed processes.
No vote was taken; the committee closed the public hearing and asked DHHS to provide the requested technical details in writing before any further action.
