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Bill

A 4845

Establishes New Jersey Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Care.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shama Haider and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a statewide Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Care to assess, reform, and coordinate funding, policy, and services to strengthen access, quality, and equity in New Jersey chi

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4845

Summary of Bill A 4845 (Session 222) — New Jersey Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Care

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a dedicated, statewide body—the New Jersey Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Care—within the Department of Children and Families.
  • Goal: develop a comprehensive, statewide strategy to strengthen and stabilize New Jersey’s child care system.

Key Provisions

Commission Composition

  • Total members: 13
    • Ex officio (4): Commissioners from the Department of Children and Families, Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Secretary of Higher Education (or their designees).
    • Four public members appointed by the Governor (with specific expertise):
    • A licensed child care center representative
    • A licensed family child care provider
    • A representative of an early childhood advocacy organization
    • A parent/guardian of a child currently enrolled in a state child care program
    • Two public members with specific appointment processes (one by Senate President on recommendation of the President of the Senate, one by Senate Minority Leader) with expertise in early childhood education policy or child care program administration or workforce development.
    • Two public members with specific appointment processes (one by Speaker of the General Assembly on recommendation of the Speaker, one by Assembly Minority Leader) with expertise in early childhood education research, child development, or child care program operations/administration.
  • Vacancies: Filled as for original appointments.
  • Organization: Commission to organize promptly after appointments, elect a chair, and the chair may appoint a secretary (not necessarily a member).
  • Compensation: Members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses within available funds.
  • Staffing: Department of Children and Families to provide staff support; commission may utilize employees from state, county, or municipal agencies as needed and available.

Purpose and Scope of Examination

  • Develop a comprehensive, statewide strategy to strengthen and stabilize the child care system.
  • Areas of examination include:
    1. Comprehensive review of the state’s child care system (access, affordability, workforce compensation, facilities/infrastructure, funding structures).
    2. Identification of systemic challenges and opportunities for reform.
    3. Development of actionable policy and funding recommendations.
    4. Creation of a sustainable coordination framework among stakeholders in child care and early childhood education.
    5. Outline of state agency and municipal initiatives to support equitable, high-quality child care and education; aimed at improving health, educational, and economic outcomes.
    6. Recommendations for State and federal statutory/regulatory reforms to improve services, including streamlining funding sources and reducing burdens.
    7. Development of an initial implementation plan for the commission’s recommendations.

Deliverables and Timeline

  • Reporting requirement: The commission must submit a report detailing findings and recommendations for legislative, executive, or other action.
  • Deadline: No later than 12 months after the commission organizes.
  • Reporting entity: Governor and the Legislature (consistent with existing reporting statute).

Effective Date

  • Takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Potential Impact

  • Establishes a formal, cross-agency body with broad stakeholder input to assess and reform child care in New Jersey.
  • Aims to address issues of access, affordability, compensation, infrastructure, and funding mechanisms.
  • Could influence future policy, funding structures, and regulatory reforms to support high-quality, equitable child care and early education.
  • The public-spirited composition (including providers, advocates, and a parent) is designed to ensure practical perspectives are considered.

Notes

  • Action history shows introduction and referral to the Assembly committee on Children, Families and Food Security on May 4, 2026.
  • Co-sponsors: Shanique Speight and Shama Haider.

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

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