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HB 859

Access to Health Insurance for Child Care Professionals - Outreach

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Bagnall Tudball and 19 co-sponsors

Maryland directs state agencies to conduct health insurance outreach to child care professionals to increase coverage awareness and enrollment among this underinsured workforce.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 679
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 859

Legislative bill overview

HB 859 establishes an outreach and education program to help child care professionals in Maryland access health insurance options. The bill directs the state to conduct targeted outreach about available health insurance plans, subsidies, and enrollment assistance specifically for workers in the child care industry. This addresses a gap where child care workers—often lower-wage, part-time employees—may be unaware of coverage options available to them.

Why is this important

Child care workers represent a vulnerable workforce with historically limited access to affordable health benefits, contributing to industry-wide instability and burnout. Targeted outreach can increase insurance enrollment rates, improve worker retention, reduce uninsured rates in the sector, and ultimately strengthen Maryland's child care infrastructure. Better health coverage for these workers also indirectly benefits children and families who depend on stable, healthy child care providers.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding: The bill requires state resources for outreach without specifying a dedicated funding source or budget allocation, raising questions about implementation costs and who bears them.
  • Coverage quality and affordability: Outreach alone doesn't guarantee child care workers can actually afford available plans; critics may argue more is needed than awareness (e.g., subsidies or employer mandates).
  • Scope limitations: The bill focuses on information dissemination rather than structural changes to make insurance more affordable or accessible, potentially seen as insufficient by worker advocates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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