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HD 4033

An Act relative to child care cost transparency

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

Requires private EEC-licensed child care providers to publicly display standard rates per child per level (on websites or upon inquiry) within one year.

Senate concurred
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 4033

Summary: An Act relative to child care cost transparency (HD 4033)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to increase price transparency for private early education and care programs licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). By requiring clear display of standard rates, the measure seeks to help families compare costs and plan for child care expenses.

Key provisions

  • Section amended: Chapter 15D, Section 6. New paragraph (f) requires:

    • All private early education and care programs licensed by the department (including school-aged child care programs, child care centers, family child care homes, and large family child care homes) to clearly display their standard rate of attendance.
    • The rate must be shown per child, per level, on a publicly available website.
    • For programs that have no publicly available website, the standard rate must be disclosed upon reasonable inquiry.
    • Programs may indicate that the listed price is subject to change or to terms/services, but the listed price must be a reasonably accurate estimate.

  • Section 2 (Effective date): The requirement takes effect one year after enactment of the act.

Affected entities

  • Private early education and care programs licensed by the MA Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), including:

    • School-aged child care programs
    • Child care centers
    • Family child care homes
    • Large family child care homes

  • Families and guardians seeking child care, who would gain access to transparent pricing information.

Implementation and timeline

  • Introduction: February 27, 2025
  • Legislative actions: Referred to the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (2/27/2025); Senate concurrence reported as part of the bill’s status.
  • Effective date: 1 year after enactment (Section 2).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Pros:

    • Improved ability for families to compare costs across providers.
    • Increased transparency in pricing structures (rates per child and level).
    • Encourages price clarity even when changes or additional terms apply.

  • Cons and considerations:

    • Administrative burden on providers to display and update rates online.
    • Language around “reasonably accurate estimate” and changes to pricing could require ongoing updates.
    • The text does not specify penalties for noncompliance; enforcement details are not disclosed in the excerpt.

Bottom line

HD 4033 would require private EEC-licensed child care providers to publicly display, on their websites (or upon reasonable inquiry if no site exists), the standard rate of attendance per child per level, with an effective date one year after enactment. The bill has progressed to Senate concurrence.

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

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