On March 4, 2022, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees in support of HB 1100 – Child Care Providers and Employees – Bonuses. This bill establishes funding for, the award of, and the distribution of bonuses for child care providers and employees; and requiring, in fiscal year 2024, the Governor to include in the annual budget an appropriation of $16,000,000 to the State Department of Education to carry out the Act.

From the MACo testimony: 

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the shortage of licensed child care providers to support the safe care of Maryland’s kids and support the state’s working families. The state does not currently have enough licensed providers to meet the needs of families balancing work, child care, and the ongoing pandemic. Many providers had to cease operation during the pandemic out of public health risk and financial instability associated with COVID-19. Those providers that remain in operation are struggling
to stay afloat, and many are unable to secure adequate staff to provide reliable child care.

MACo plans to testify on the bill’s crossfile, SB 806, on March 9, 2022.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
Learn more about MACo’s 2022 Legislative Initiatives.
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.