AUGUSTA - Rep. Rebecca Jauch, D-Topsham, presented legislation Friday that would create a stakeholder group to identify ways to improve child care availability in Maine. The bill was introduced in a public hearing before the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee.
LD 103 would direct the Children's Cabinet within the Governors Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to convene a working group to study issues related to accessing child care, including costs for parents and providers. The working group would also explore potential options including state funding, grant programs, workforce incentives and tax credits. Finally, it would examine what policies have been successful in other states to address child care needs. The working group would be composed of early childhood education and child care providers, state agencies and members of the business community.
"We need meaningful public and private investment in child care in order to improve our workforce and strengthen our economy," said Jauch. "Child care in Maine faces two major issues: a shrinking pool of child care providers and a lack of affordability for parents. Not having access to child care is one of the main reasons parents miss work days or stay out of the workforce entirely. This bill would be a step in the right direction to ensuring child care is affordable and accessible to all Mainers."
Maine's child care system does not meet the needs of parents, children or employers, according to a 2022 report by the Council for a Strong America. In 2019, the Maine Children's Alliance calculated there are approximately 54,000 children under age 6 who need child care in Maine. They also found it takes between 11% to 22% of a typical familys income to pay for full-time child care. Additionally, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10% of employed workers in Maine missed work for child care reasons in 2021.
The bill faces further action in the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee in the coming weeks.
Jauch, a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents part of Topsham.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Jauch], c. 305-965-2744