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Bill

H 275

An Act relative to child care cost transparency

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Vanna Howard and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill requiring child care providers to publicly disclose standardized pricing and fee information to help families compare costs and understand expenses.

Hearing scheduled for 09/02/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 275

Legislative bill overview

H 275 requires child care providers in Massachusetts to publicly disclose their pricing structures, fees, and cost breakdowns in a standardized format. The bill aims to increase transparency so families can more easily compare child care options and understand what they're paying for.

Why is this important

Child care is one of families' largest expenses, yet pricing varies dramatically and remains opaque across providers. Better transparency can help lower-income families identify affordable options, reduce information asymmetries in the market, and potentially pressure providers to justify high costs. This directly affects workforce participation, particularly for parents trying to balance employment with child care needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Provider burden: Child care operators may argue that standardized disclosure requirements add administrative costs and complexity, particularly for small family-based providers with limited staff
  • Competitive concerns: Some providers worry that public pricing disclosure could enable predatory undercutting by larger chains or disadvantage smaller operators competing on price alone
  • Definition ambiguity: Disagreement may arise over what constitutes "cost" (does it include facility overhead, staff benefits, supplies?) and whether standardized formats can accommodate diverse business models (infant care vs. preschool, full-time vs. drop-in)

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

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