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Senate tables bill asking DHHS to seek federal clarification on TANF use for childcare
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Summary
The Senate committee recommended referring HB 15-66 to interim study; supporters said the bill would clarify whether TANF reserve funds can be used for childcare workforce supports, while opponents urged action. The Senate ultimately tabled the bill.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee recommended that House Bill 15-66, which would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal clarification on using TANF reserve funds to support childcare workforce needs and repeal a biannual budget requirement, be referred to interim study (committee vote 3-2).
Senator Rochefort, presenting the committee report, said the recommendation followed department testimony that the federal government had previously denied similar requests and that an interim study was appropriate. Opponents on the floor argued the bill is a pro-family effort to address a childcare workforce crisis and cited estimates of roughly 9,000 missing childcare slots; they urged immediate action rather than study. Senator Rosenwald said the written federal response earlier did not amount to an outright denial and urged the Senate to move the bill forward (SEG 1009–SEG 1069).
After floor discussion emphasizing childcare capacity concerns and workforce shortages, Senator Rochefort moved to table the bill; the motion to lay HB 15-66 on the table was adopted by voice vote (SEG 1152–SEG 1170). Supporters said the measure sought clarifying federal guidance and potential waiver requests to maximize federal funding flexibility; opponents warned that delays would worsen capacity problems.
Why it matters: The bill addresses whether federal TANF funds could be used to support childcare workforce recruitment or retention (a contested federal-state question). Tabled status pauses immediate legislative action on that clarification.
What happens next: HB 15-66 was tabled; sponsors or advocates may renew the measure or pursue amendments in committee or through future sessions.
