Sponsor warns child-care credential program still not fully operational after funding restoration
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Summary
Delegate Julie Plakovich Carr told the committee HB 561 seeks to stabilize Maryland's childcare credential program; although funding was restored for FY26, MSDE canceled a vendor contract and providers still lack payments while the procurement to replace the vendor continues.
Delegate Julie Plakovich Carr told the committee House Bill 561 is intended to prevent repeated disruptions to the Maryland Childcare Credential Program, which reimburses providers for professional development and awards bonuses to higher-qualified providers.
"For just a few million dollars a year, we actually are reaching 10,000 child care providers," she said, but noted that although funding was restored for FY26 the program is not fully operational because MSDE canceled its contract with the prior technology vendor and must re-procure. As a result, funds are not yet flowing to providers.
She said the program was not included in the governor's FY27 budget request and expressed concern about future disruptions. A committee question about whether the fiscal note has changed drew the sponsor's response that the fiscal note remains identical to the previously heard version.
The bill was presented for committee consideration; no separate roll-call vote on HB 561 is recorded in the transcript.
