Dear Neighbors,
On Monday, the Select Committee on Affordable Child Care held a press conference to unveil legislation that is the result of hours of meetings with providers and families across Minnesota, discussing the challenges they face every day in accessing and operating child care services.
As chair of this newly formed select committee, I am proud of the work we have been able to accomplish to this point. As I’ve always said, kids aren’t partisan—and it’s for kids, parents, providers, and Minnesota communities that we worked together to bring forward this legislation. When child care thrives, our state thrives. It really is the building block of our economy.
Initiatives in this legislation would:
- Create a task force committed to vetting and unpacking the complex issues causing high costs and access issues in child care, while maintaining nation-leading quality and safety standards
- Produce a manual on how to start a child care small business, in multiple capacities, to clarify the process and make it easier for people to enter the profession
- Provide consistent application of the laws and regulations relating to child care providers by providing a single set of uniform standards for licensing staff
- Provide economic development grants for communities that create unique community solution plans to address local needs, including public/private partnerships, investment in in-home provider start-ups, expansion of child care within local businesses, using existing community resources like nursing homes, and other alternative solutions
- Direct the Department of Human Services (DHS) to consider the feasibility of launching an online resource to streamline and reduce redundancies in paperwork and to access all necessary information (about licensure, new laws and regulations, training, etc.) for their business in one location
- Direct DHS to advocate for and be responsive to questions and concerns of child care providers in a timely manner
When we formed this committee, our goal was to give Minnesotans a platform to share their experiences. As a committee, and as individual legislators, we are committed to finding innovative solutions that address these challenges. Our work is only just beginning.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this committee or any other matter relating to the legislature, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-3201 or via email at rep.mary.franson@house.mn.
Have a joyous and blessed Easter Weekend!
Mary