Bills Related to Child Care
Learn about newly proposed legislation and current issues facing providers on a state and federal level.
Federal Update (Jan. 10)
Take Action: Ask Your Representative and Senators to Support Nutritious Meals for Young Children!
With the start of the New Year, Congress is back in session and beginning to turn their attention to several pieces of legislation. One of the most important for child care and early learning providers is the Child Nutrition Act which is due to be reviewed by Congress (a process called reauthorization).
The Child Nutrition Act includes the Child and Adult Care Food Program which serves more than two million children nationally in child care settings each day.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY 21) have introduced legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively that would take a big step forward in improving access to nutritious meals in child care.
The Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act (S. 2749/H.R. 4402) calls for increasing CACFP reimbursement rates, adding a third meal or snack option, expanding CACFP family child care home area eligibility, increasing the administrative reimbursement rate for CACFP sponsoring organizations, and streamlining and simplifying program and paperwork requirements.
The Early Care and Education Consortium and PACCA support this legislation, but we need your help to give the legislation and the issue the attention it needs!
Take Action!
Call, write or email your Congressional Representative and Senators Casey and Specter to tell them about the benefits of CACFP and the value of the nutritious meals you serve. Urge them to co-sponsor the Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act! Take Action to Supoport the legislation!
State Update (Feb. 24)
HB 406 sponsored by Representative Youngblood - The House Children and Youth Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, March 9th for a public hearing on HB 406 sponsored by Representative Youngblood. The bill provides for the visitation and inspection of family child care homes. PACCA will keep you posted.
Click here to read HB 406
HB 685 Payne - (PN 758) House Children and Youth Committee held public hearing on Thursday, January 21 at 11:00 am on HB 685 sponsored by Representative Payne (R). Bill requires family day care providers to obtain and provide proof of current general liability insurance policy covering all persons who are on the premises. Current DPW regulations recommend but do not require liability insurance of family providers. Additionally, bill would require family providers to post current certificate of compliance, applicable DPW regulations, facility’s inspection summary, etc. Upon enrollment, the parent would sign an agreement and provide emergency contact info. PACCA notes that many insurance companies will not insure family day care providers if they care for more than 4 children — a significant barrier.
Click here to read testimony from PACCA's president Terry Casey.
Table Games Bill Passes and Governor Signs it into Law: Governor Rendell signed the bill legalizing table games in Pennsylvania’s casinos on Thursday January 7th after it was approved by the House with a vote of 103-89. Lawmakers debated the measure, expected to raise $250 million this fiscal year, for nearly three months after signing a budget in mid-October that projected revenues to help meet budget spending.