Senate backs public–private plan to retrofit state building for child care slots

The Senate on Feb. 24 approved the Child Care Expansion Act, a measure to expand childcare capacity by retrofitting an existing state‑owned building and leasing it to a private employer who would contract with a licensed Utah childcare provider to operate the center.

Senator Escamilla, sponsor of SB 248, said the project targets a state-owned location (identified in floor remarks as the Tax Commission building first floor) and would reserve half the available slots for state employees and military members. The state’s role is limited to preparing the building to licensing standards; the private partner would manage operations, pay lease costs and hold operational liability. Escamilla described the policy as a targeted, public–private approach to address workforce retention and childcare shortages and said feasibility studies had been conducted.

The bill reached third-reading passage on the floor with a roll-call tally of 19 yays, 4 nays and 6 absent. Sponsors said the bill is not intended to be a government-run childcare program but a means to increase local capacity through partnership with private employers and licensed providers.

Quote from the floor: "This is not a government run childcare program. This is just one innovative way..." Senator Escamilla said.

Next steps: Implementation would require DFCM and the selected private partner to execute leases and ensure the center meets licensing standards; fiscal notes and contracting details will be part of the administrative follow-up.