AUGUSTA - Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, presented a measure on Tuesday to help more Maine families afford child care by expanding access to the Child Care Subsidy Program, which provides assistance to eligible parents who are working, in school, in a job training program or who are retired and the legal guardian of a child.
LD 1031 would extend eligibility to families earning up to 150% of the median state income. Currently, the limit is just 85% of the median state income. The measure would also cap the amount participating families must pay at 13% of household income, with lower income families paying less.
"Child care has become increasingly unaffordable for too many Mainers," said LaRochelle. "Expanding the eligibility requirements for the Child Care Subsidy Program will increase the number of parents entering the workforce or pursuing education and address the needs of more families, including those on fixed incomes, who are feeling the financial strain of rising costs."
Data from the Maine Children's Alliance in 2019 indicated that child care is a major expense for Maine families. The federal benchmark for affordable child care is 7% of family income. By this standard, 99% of low-income Maine families pay more than the federal benchmark for full-time child care, and 59% of all families pay over the federal standard for affordable child care. LD 1031 would help lower child care costs, and graduated income ranges would create more affordability across income levels.
"Expanding access to child care will also support Maine businesses," said LaRochelle. "This program levels the playing field for smaller businesses, which are the heart of Maine's economy. Larger businesses have more resources to provide benefits like child care for their employees in a way that is not feasible for small businesses that are struggling to find employees."
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
LaRochelle, a member of the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee, is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents the west side of Augusta.
Contact:
Brian Lee [LaRochelle], c. 305-965-2744