Appropriations committee adopts amendment narrowing child care workforce bill; second substitute reported out

The House Appropriations Committee advanced proposed second substitute House Bill 11‑28, which would establish a Child Care Workforce Standards Board, after members adopted an amendment exempting private K‑12 schools that operate licensed childcare programs from the bill’s definition of a childcare employer.

Kelly, staff to the Labor and Workplace Standards Committee, reminded the Appropriations Committee that the earlier substitute would have established the board as a regulatory entity with authority to set enforceable wages and employment standards for childcare providers. Representative Stoner’s proposed second substitute narrowed that role so the board would make recommendations rather than impose standards.

Representative Couture moved LEON 245, a line amendment that removes private K‑12 schools operating licensed childcare programs from the childcare-employer definition so they would not be covered by the board’s recommendations or requirements. After discussion from both sides, the committee adopted LEON 245 and then voted to report the second substitute from committee with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee announced the roll-call tally as 18 ayes, 11 nays and 2 excused.

Why it matters: the adopted amendment narrows the bill’s scope by excluding a class of providers from potential future recommendations; staff noted that removing those employers could modestly reduce the bill’s fiscal impact but stressed the change was expected to be minimal.

What’s next: HB 11‑28, as amended, will be placed on the House floor calendar. Any floor action or subsequent fiscal-note adjustments will reflect the amendment’s narrower scope.

Quote: “This just exempts private K‑12 schools that operate licensed childcare early learning programs from the definition of childcare employer. Please vote yes.” — Representative Couture

Ending: The committee reported the second substitute with a do‑pass recommendation; the bill will proceed to the full House for further consideration.