Bill > HB506

This bill establishes the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services to provide financial support for child care providers and their staff. The program will distribute annual lump-sum payments of up to $1,000 per staff member, with funds allocated for both retention bonuses for existing staff and recruitment bonuses for newly hired staff. Eligible providers must be certified child care centers, family child care homes, or children's institutions with an active child care subsidy agreement, and cannot be under investigation for fraud or have a revoked license. Qualified staff members are those directly supervising children, excluding administrative or support staff. Providers must apply within 45 days of the application being posted, and the payments cannot replace existing wages or benefits. The program requires providers to use the funds within the fiscal year and prohibits a staff member from receiving both retention and recruitment bonuses in the same year. The Department of Human Services will monitor the program, conduct audits, and provide an annual report to legislative committees detailing the payments, provider locations, and application numbers. The bill aims to support child care workforce stability by providing financial incentives to providers and their staff.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=506