House approves amendment to expand childcare assistance eligibility for childcare workers

The Utah House approved Second Substitute HB 4 61 on Feb. 23 to expand eligibility for the state childcare assistance program so that people working in the childcare sector may qualify for assistance. Representative Matthews said the proposal is modeled on programs in other states and is intended to stabilize the childcare workforce.

"Child care worker is around $15 an hour…Offering this as an incentive is something that has been wildly successful for retaining employees and stabilizing the sector," Matthews said on the floor, adding that Utah does not currently invest state dollars into the subsidy and the substitute will impact existing federal dollars with a $0 fiscal note.

Discussion was limited on the floor and the bill was adopted and passed with a recorded tally of 57 yes and 15 no. Sponsors said the substitute would not raise state spending and would reallocate eligibility within federal funding parameters.

Next steps: If enacted by the Senate, state agencies administering the program will adjust eligibility rules and guidance for program managers and providers.