Bill > HB41

This bill establishes comprehensive child care grant programs aimed at expanding child care capacity in Ohio through two primary initiatives. First, the Department of Children and Youth will administer a $10 million annual grant program to help employers create, retrofit, or partner with child care facilities, prioritizing employers seeking child care for employees' children and community partnerships. Grant recipients must provide publicly funded child care, participate in the state's quality rating system, and can receive up to $750,000 per grant. Second, the bill allocates $250,000 annually to create an Employer-Based Child Care Co-Design Learning Lab, which will support grant recipients, develop educational resources, and help employers create child care solutions. The learning lab will focus on helping businesses develop partnerships, financial models, and strategies for creating child care spots, with a special emphasis on rural and underserved areas. Additionally, the program will develop an employer toolkit with strategies for expanding child care capacity, information about tax credits, and resources for creating employee child care benefits. The bill appropriates funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and requires collaboration between the Department of Children and Youth, Department of Development, and JobsOhio to implement these programs.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb41