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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-14

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill creates multiple initiatives to expand child care access in North Carolina by allowing state-owned buildings to house child care facilities, requiring large state construction projects to include child care centers, establishing pilot programs for state employee and first responder child care, and studying child care feasibility at community colleges and universities. The bill also creates a workgroup to streamline licensing requirements for child care facilities.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses North Carolina's child care shortage and affordability crisis, which affects workforce participation especially for state employees and first responders working nontraditional hours.
• •The bill leverages underutilized state property at minimal cost, includes apprenticeship programs to train child care workers, and requires feasibility studies to expand access across community colleges and universities, potentially helping students and faculty balance education with parenting responsibilities.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may be concerned about the $11 million in state appropriations required for pilot programs and their long-term sustainability beyond initial funding.
• •Some worry the mandate that large state construction projects include child care centers could delay projects by months or add significant costs, and questions remain about whether these state-operated programs will be self-sufficient or require ongoing taxpayer support to maintain quality care.