A lack of available childcare slots and childcare employees leads to longer childcare wait times and higher costs. This contributes to young people delaying starting families and reduces the number of young people in the workforce. Stay Work Play supports measures to increase both the availability and affordability of childcare.

2022 Legislation

Senate Bill 446

Stay Work Play position: SUPPORT

What it does: This bill establishes a childcare workforce fund to provide grants to eligible child care programs for child care workforce recruitment and retention bonuses and benefits. The bill makes an appropriation to the fund for the purpose of establishing and administering the grant program.

Why it's important: Childcare workers are the workforce behind the workforce. Without them, parents of young children can't work to their highest potential, or at all. At present, however, low wages are forcing many child care workers to leave the field or not enter it to begin with.

Status: Senate Bill 446 is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee.

House Bill 1523

Stay Work Play position: SUPPORT

What it does: This bill establishes the New Hampshire childcare fund and its operational requirements under the Department of Health and Human Services. The fund shall be a dedicated, specialized finance program designed to provide construction or startup financing for new childcare businesses and either full or supplementary funds for childcare tuition costs to an accredited child care facility on behalf of New Hampshire children.

Why it's important: Childcare businesses are expensive to start and tuition is overly expensive for many families.

Status: House Bill 1523 is scheduled to be voted upon by the House Commerce Committee on Feb. 2, 2022.

House Bill 1384 and House Bill 1370

Stay Work Play position: SUPPORT

What it does: These bills establish temporary committees to study two childcare topics. House Bill 1384 establishes a committee to study the need for childcare and ways to supplement and fund it in New Hampshire, while House Bill 1370 establishes a committee to study childcare options for New Hampshire state legislators. If approved, both committees would make recommendations for future legislation on these topics.

Status: House Bill 1384 is currently awaiting a vote in the House Health and Human Services Committee. House Bill 1370 is currently awaiting a vote in the House Legislative Administration Committee.

Childcare Advocacy