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Bill

HB 649

Enact the Child Care Fraud Prevention Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tim Barhorst and 27 co-sponsors

Ohio bill establishes fraud detection mechanisms including background checks and audits for child care providers to prevent misuse of state funding and protect child welfare.

Referred to committee
#childcare #healthandhumanservices
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Bill Summary · HB 649

Legislative bill overview

HB 649, the Child Care Fraud Prevention Act, establishes new mechanisms to detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent activities within Ohio's child care system. The bill creates requirements for background checks, financial audits, and reporting procedures for child care providers and facilities receiving state funding or licensing.

Why is this important

Child care fraud diverts public resources meant for child welfare and can compromise the safety and quality of care children receive. Strengthening fraud prevention protects both vulnerable children and taxpayer dollars while maintaining legitimate providers' credibility in the system.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance burden: Increased reporting and audit requirements may impose significant administrative costs on small child care providers, potentially forcing some out of business
  • Privacy concerns: Expanded background checks and financial monitoring could raise questions about data collection scope and how information is stored and shared
  • Enforcement resources: The bill's effectiveness depends on adequate state funding for investigation and oversight, which may not be guaranteed or could divert resources from other child welfare priorities

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

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