LANSING, Mich., Dec. 11, 2024 — The House Tax Policy Committee passed a bill package today to amend the Child Care Licensing Act to provide greater oversight flexibility, authorize safety inspections, make it easier to appeal for rules violations and require reimbursements to child care providers to be inflation-indexed.
“Fixing a broken system that’s causing Michigan’s economy to lose nearly $3 billion annually and crushing our families and businesses is going to take a sustained public investment,” said Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). “Adjusting subsidies for inflation, cutting red tape for providers, and simplifying the process are important first steps on the course we must chart if we want child care professionals, young families and employers to say yes to Michigan and thrive here.”
House Bill 5637, sponsored by state Rep. Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte), would require reimbursements made to child care providers under the Child Development and Care program to be adjusted for inflation annually using the Detroit Consumer Price Index.
“Increasing reimbursements to keep up with inflation is a step in the right direction to combat the child care provider shortage across the state,” Churches said. “Child care providers are essential workers and need to be compensated as such, especially as we continue to deal with high costs.”
HB 5638, sponsored by state Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), would provide greater flexibility for certain child care facilities’ certification, inspection and oversight and would extend certain protections under the Freedom of Information Act to child care facilities.
“Families across my district have made it clear that child care is one of their top concerns,” Farhat said. “This bill reduces administrative costs for child care facilities, making child care more affordable and accessible for Michigan families.”
HB 5639, sponsored by state Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens), would establish a process for child care facilities to request a review and appeal of rule violations.
“Child care access is a top concern for many across our state,” Mentzer said. “The changes to current law in this legislation will offer child care facilities much needed relief and expand care access by allowing for more flexibility in oversight without jeopardizing the safety of our children, and ensuring child care providers are fairly compensated.”
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