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HB 849

Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions and Waitlist

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Addison and 27 co-sponsors

HB 849 freezes new Maryland child care scholarship enrollments with carved exceptions, potentially limiting access for low-income working families.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 594
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Bill Summary · HB 849

Legislative bill overview

HB 849 establishes a freeze on new enrollments in Maryland's Child Care Scholarship Program while allowing exceptions for specific circumstances. The bill limits the program's growth despite ongoing demand, potentially affecting thousands of families seeking subsidized child care assistance.

Why is this important

Child care subsidies directly impact workforce participation, particularly for low-income parents, and influence child development outcomes. A enrollment freeze could create waitlists, force families out of the workforce, and affect economic productivity while the carve-outs determine which families receive priority access during constrained funding.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal justification: Whether budget constraints warrant a freeze versus increased appropriations to meet demand
  • Equity concerns: How exceptions are defined and whether they adequately protect vulnerable populations (homeless families, foster care transitions, domestic violence survivors, etc.)
  • Economic impact: Effects on parental workforce participation and child development for families excluded from the program
  • Timing: Whether a freeze is necessary given current enrollment levels and available funding
  • Program alternatives: Whether the bill pairs the freeze with other solutions like rate adjustments or efficiency measures

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

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