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Bill

HB 6034

Children: child care; tri-share child care workplace benefit program and fund; establish. Amends 1973 PA 116 (MCL 722.111 - 722.128) by adding sec. 6b.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Longjohn and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a Tri-Share program where employers pay at least 1/3 of child care costs, the state matches 1/3, and a dedicated fund to support providers and regional workforce needs.

bill electronically reproduced 06/02/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 6034

Overview

House Bill 6034 would create a Tri-Share child care workplace benefit program and a dedicated Tri-Share fund to help cover child care costs for employees of participating employers in Michigan. The program aims to leverage state resources and private employer contributions to reduce child care expenses for working families, with a focus on employers contributing a portion of costs and the state sharing in the cost.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a Tri-Share child care workplace benefit program within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (referred to as the department) to assist with employee child care costs.
  • Create a Tri-Share fund in the state treasury to manage and distribute contributions and payments to child care providers.
  • Encourage employer participation in subsidizing child care by requiring, at minimum, a one-third employer contribution toward an eligible employee’s child care costs, with the state contributing up to one-third, and optional for employers to contribute more.
  • Provide a mechanism to support regional recruitment and statewide child care services as part of a broader workforce development strategy.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the program (Sec. 6b(1)):
    • The department administers the program, including contributions from participating employers, employees, and the state.
    • Eligibility criteria will be set for both employees and employers.
    • Employers must cover at least 1/3 of an employee’s child care costs; the state would contribute 1/3 of the costs for eligible employees, subject to appropriations.
    • Employers may contribute more than 1/3 if they choose.
    • Employees may participate if they are not receiving a state-funded child care subsidy under the Child Development and Care program.
    • Introduction of a Care-Share option for employers and employees not meeting eligibility, where the department administers but does not fund the employee’s child care expenses.
  • Creation of the Tri-Share fund (Sec. 6b(2)) and management details (Sec. 6b(3)):
    • The fund is established in the state treasury and may receive money or other assets from various sources.
    • The state treasurer manages investments and credits earnings to the fund.
    • Amounts in the fund do not lapse to the general fund at year-end.
    • The department is the fund administrator for auditing purposes.
  • Use of funds (Sec. 6b(6)):
    • Administer the program and Care-Share, and develop options to attract employer participation.
    • Award funds to support regional recruitment activities and statewide services, with benchmarks for regional and statewide efforts.
    • Allow advances for timely provider payments; unspent funds at the end of a program or grant must be spent toward Michigan’s share of child care payments or returned as directed by the department.
  • Eligible recipients and providers (Sec. 6b(7)):
    • Eligible project entities include nonprofits, LLCs, C-corps, S-corps, intermediate school districts, or sole proprietors.
    • Funds may be used to enroll a child living outside Michigan if a parent/guardian works in Michigan, but the child care provider must be licensed and located in Michigan.
  • Affordability if state funds are insufficient (Sec. 6b(8)):
    • If the state’s 1/3 contribution cannot be funded due to insufficient appropriations, employers may still participate via the Care-Share option.
  • Definitions (Sec. 6b(9)):
    • Clear definitions for “Fund” and “Program.”

Who would be affected

  • Employers in Michigan that choose to participate in the Tri-Share program, including those able to cover at least 1/3 of an employee’s child care costs or electing the Care-Share option if funding is constrained.
  • Employees eligible for the program (those not currently receiving a state child care subsidy under the Child Development and Care program).
  • Child care providers licensed in Michigan that would receive payments through the program to facilitate employee care.
  • Local and regional workforce recruitment efforts, which could be supported by program funds for recruitment and statewide services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill was introduced in June 2026 and referred to the Appropriations Committee, indicating a fiscal and administrative focus.
  • The program and fund would operate subject to appropriations; ongoing funding levels will determine the extent of state contribution and benefits.
  • The fund is designed to retain annual earnings and prevent lapsing to the general fund, ensuring long-term viability.
  • Administration and auditing responsibilities sit with the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.

Potential impact

  • Improved access to affordable child care for working families, potentially enhancing labor force participation and stability.
  • Shared cost model (employer + state) that could reduce direct child care expenses for employees.
  • Administrative and fiscal implications for the state, including ongoing appropriation needs and reporting/audit obligations.
  • Encouragement of employer-based benefits and regional recruitment activities aimed at addressing child care shortages and workforce needs.

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

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