St. Paul, MN – Monday evening, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a pair of bills to deliver investments to stabilize childcare and early learning in the state. Rep. Laurie Pryor (DFL-Minnetonka) released this statement:
“We have the opportunity to give every Minnesota child a great start to their lives,” said Rep. Pryor. “This is among the most important work we do as legislators and the legislation we passed tonight invests in our kids, our families and our future. We can’t wait another minute to start changing lives.”
HF 13, which passed, 69-59, would increase the maximum rates for all childcare assistance (CCAP)-eligible children from the 30th or 40th percentile to the 75th percentile of the most recent survey of provider rates. A review of state ratesshows that Minnesota is currently near the bottom. The rate change would apply to Minnesota children of all ages.
The second bill, HF 150, which passed 70-60, delivers $12.25 million in emergency investment in childcare stabilization grants. It also includes $40 million in early learning scholarships, with expanding eligibility to start at birth, rather than the current age of three. This will provide early learning and care to an estimated 4,000 additional children.
The 2021 Legislature established the childcare provider stabilization grant program for monthly base grants to help providers stay open and continue to provide care and learning. 70% of the funds go directly to compensate childcare workers. But the size of the payments is currently scheduled to drop in half starting in March, threatening the fragile stability of providers. HF 150 would reverse this cut.
Video of the floor debate can be viewed on the House Public Information’s YouTube Channel.
###