Bill > S678

This bill aims to improve childcare access for state employees in North Carolina through several key provisions. First, the Department of Administration must report by March 31, 2026, on the feasibility of using obsolete or underutilized state-owned buildings for childcare facilities, including detailed assessments of property locations, renovation costs, and potential barriers. Second, the bill mandates that any state construction or renovation project over $5 million involving more than 250 workers must include a childcare or adult daycare center, with exceptions for significant project delays or cost increases. Third, the Division of Child Development and Early Education will establish a pilot program to create three onsite childcare centers on state-owned property, prioritizing smaller commercial providers and requiring partnerships with universities or community colleges to develop apprenticeship programs. The state will provide upfit costs and rent-free space for these centers, with $5 million allocated for the program's establishment. The bill also allows state reimbursement of up to $500,000 for asbestos or lead remediation and requires a comprehensive report on the pilot program's implementation by April 1, 2027, to assess its successes and challenges.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S678