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SB 20

Child Care Subsidy Program; income-based eligibility for assistance.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mamie Locke

SB 20 adjusts income eligibility limits for Virginia's child care subsidy program to expand or modify assistance access for lower-income families.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB20)
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Bill Summary · SB 20

Legislative bill overview

SB 20 modifies Virginia's child care subsidy program by establishing or adjusting income-based eligibility thresholds for families seeking financial assistance. The bill has advanced through the Education and Health committee with bipartisan support and now faces fiscal review by the Finance and Appropriations committee, which will assess the state budget implications.

Why is this important

Child care subsidies directly affect affordability and access to early childhood education for lower and middle-income families, influencing workforce participation—particularly for single parents and dual-income households. The fiscal impact analysis will determine whether Virginia can absorb expanded eligibility or higher benefit levels without significant budget reallocation.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal cost: The Department of Planning and Budget's statement likely reveals the program's price tag; lawmakers must decide if expansion is affordable given competing budget priorities
  • Income threshold level: Disagreement may exist over where the cutoff should be—too low excludes struggling families, too high may stretch state resources or benefit families with greater means
  • Implementation and administration: Expanding eligibility requires infrastructure to process more applications and verify income, raising operational costs beyond direct subsidy payments

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

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