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HB 359

Prince George's County - Early Childhood Education Program, High School Child Care Centers, and Fee in Child Support Cases - Established PG 502-25

2025 Regular Session

Prince George's County establishes early childhood education programs and high school child care centers, funded partly through fees in child support cases.

Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 359

Legislative bill overview

HB 359 establishes early childhood education programs and high school child care centers in Prince George's County while creating a new fee mechanism within child support cases. The bill creates infrastructure for both pre-K services and on-site child care at high schools, funded in part through fees collected in child support proceedings.

Why is this important

This bill addresses two critical gaps: access to affordable child care (a major barrier to parental employment and child development) and support for teen parents who might otherwise leave school. By embedding child care services within schools and funding mechanisms within the child support system, the county aims to improve outcomes for vulnerable families while potentially increasing workforce participation among parents.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee structure concerns: Adding fees to child support cases could burden low-income parents already struggling with support obligations, potentially reducing compliance or creating hardship
  • Funding sustainability: Relying on child support fee collection may create unstable or insufficient funding streams for continuous program operation
  • High school center scope: Questions about whether high schools are appropriate venues for comprehensive child care, including space, staffing, liability, and whether this stigmatizes teen parents
  • Equity in access: Unclear how services will be allocated and whether all families or only certain demographics (e.g., child support recipients) will benefit
  • Implementation costs: Significant upfront investment needed for facilities, staff training, and operations that may strain county budgets

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

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