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HB 1492

Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program - Funding

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jared Solomon

Maryland bill establishes state funding program to expand in-home family child care services and increase affordable child care access across communities.

First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations
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Bill Summary · HB 1492

Legislative bill overview

HB 1492 establishes the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program in Maryland, which appears to provide funding and support mechanisms to expand family-based child care services. The bill aims to increase access to child care by incentivizing and supporting in-home, family child care providers rather than exclusively center-based facilities.

Why is this important

Family child care serves as a critical gap in the child care market, particularly in rural areas and lower-income communities where center-based facilities may be sparse or unaffordable. Expanding this sector can increase parental workforce participation, reduce child care costs, and create small business opportunities for family child care providers who currently operate with minimal regulatory support or funding.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding allocation and cost: Legislators may debate how much state funding is appropriate and whether it competes with center-based child care facility investments or other education priorities
  • Regulatory oversight: Questions may arise about quality standards, licensing requirements, safety inspections, and how the state will monitor family child care providers receiving public funds
  • Program design details: The specific eligibility requirements, subsidy structures, and accountability measures remain unclear and could face scrutiny regarding equity and effectiveness

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

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