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Committee forwards promising‑futures child‑care proposal to finance committee
Summary
HB 1979 would create a Promising Futures Fund to improve child‑care affordability and workforce capacity using revenues from vaping or hemp‑derived products, expand payment assistance up to 150% of median income, and fund time‑limited pilot programs for scholarships and employer partnerships. The bill advanced to Finance & Ways & Means (8 ayes, 1 nay, 2 present not voting).
Chairman White presented HB 1979 as part of a 'Promising Futures' effort to tackle child‑care affordability and workforce shortages. "This bill establishes the Promising Futures Fund supported by dedicated revenues from either vaping or the hemp derived cannabis products," he said, emphasizing the proposal would not draw from the general fund and would expand existing assistance programs to families up to 150% of median income.
White described two three‑year pilot programs included in the proposal: a childcare workforce scholarship pilot to recruit and retain teachers and a voluntary employer 'CareShares' partnership to promote employer investment in child care. The committee voted to report HB 1979 to Finance & Ways & Means with recorded support, sending the measure for fiscal consideration.
What happens next: HB 1979 will go to the Finance & Ways & Means Committee for budgetary review and potential funding authorization.
