As 2025 state legislative sessions unfold across the country, state policymakers are working hard to increase family access to affordable care and to implement initiatives to rebuild and maintain the early childhood education and care workforce; and they are doing this work while grappling with reduced budgets and calls for regulatory reform. In this Topical Spotlight, TCC highlights a variety of legislative proposals making their way through statehouses. The legislation below is grouped by key themes that reflect emerging trends.
Licensing and Provider Qualifications
California
A753
Proposed: 2/18/2025
Status: 4/21/2025:
Re-referred to Education Committee
Status: 4/21/2025:
Re-referred to Education Committee
Summary
The bill states that a general child care and development program may allow two years from the date of hire of an interim associate teacher in a to pursue necessary credentials or complete additional coursework. This includes obtaining a Child Development Associate Teacher (or equivalent) Permit from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
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Florida
Senate Bill 47
Proposed:12/12/2024
Status: 4/9/2025:
Added to second reading calendar
Status: 4/9/2025:
Added to second reading calendar
Summary
The bill provides: an exemption from specified special assessments levied by municipalities for public and private preschools; defines "preschool"; revises licensing standards for all licensed child care facilities and minimum standards and training requirements for child care personnel; requires DCF to issue provisional approval of personnel under certain conditions; and more...
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Idaho
House Bill 243
Proposed: 2/18/2025
Status: 3/27/2025
Signed by Governor
Status: 3/27/2025
Signed by Governor
Indiana
SB 463
Proposed: 1/13/2025
Status: 4/23/2025:
Signed by House Speaker and Senate President
Status: 4/23/2025:
Signed by House Speaker and Senate President
Summary
This legislation requires the department to annually review child:staff ratio requirements of surrounding states to ensure that Indiana requirements are not more stringent than the average. It also delineates requirements for some 15-year-olds to be allowed to volunteer as caregivers in facilities.
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Missouri
Executive Order 25-15
Proposed: 2/18/2025
Effective Date: A recommendations report is due September 30, 2025
Effective Date: A recommendations report is due September 30, 2025
Summary
The bill requires the State’s Office of Childhood to review child care regulations with input from relevant stakeholders across the state, with the goal of reducing duplicative, outdated, or unnecessarily burdensome regulatory requirements by at least 10%..
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Washington
HB 1082
Proposed: 12/16/2024
Status: In House committee
Status: In House committee
Summary
The legislation allows licensed child care providers until at least August 1, 2028, to demonstrate experience-based competency as an alternative means to comply with some child care licensing rules. It requires the department to convene a stakeholder group to identify strategies to improve early learning and school-age staff qualification requirements and verification processes.
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Workforce Development and Compensation Enhancements
Maryland
House Bill 1325
Proposed: 2/7/2025
Status: 3/17/2025:
Referred to Senate
Status: 3/17/2025:
Referred to Senate
Summary
The bill establishes the Substitute Child Care Provider Pool Pilot Program in the State Department of Education. The purpose of the Program is to facilitate the continuous operation of child care facilities in the State by ensuring that qualified substitute child care providers are available to fill the short-term staffing needs of child care facilities on a temporary basis.
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Washington
House Bill 1128
Proposed: 12/23/2024
Status: 2/12/2025
Referred to Appropriations
Status: 2/12/2025
Referred to Appropriations
Summary
The bill requires the State’s Office of Childhood to review child care regulations with input from relevant stakeholders across the state, with the goal of reducing duplicative, outdated, or unnecessarily burdensome regulatory requirements by at least 10%..
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Connecticut
House Bill 6899
Proposed: 2/6/2025
Status: 3/28/2025:
Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations
Status: 3/28/2025:
Referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations
Summary
The bill increases the salaries of early childhood educators by establishing the Early Childhood Care and Education salary enhancement grant program.
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Hawaii
House Bill 549
Proposed:1/20/2025
Status: 4/24/2025:
Pending conference committee meeting
Status: 4/24/2025:
Pending conference committee meeting
Summary
The bill establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to provide financial support for early learning program service providers.
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Illinois
House Bill 2420
Proposed: 2/18/2025
Status: 1/31/2025
Referred to Rules Committee
Status: 1/31/2025
Referred to Rules Committee
Summary
This bill amends the Illinois Smart Start Act to include provider requirements for receiving Smart Start Workforce Grants.
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Maryland
House Bill 1325
Proposed: 2/7/2025
Status: 3/17/2025:
Referred to Senate
Status: 3/17/2025:
Referred to Senate
Summary
The bill establishes the Substitute Child Care Provider Pool Pilot Program in the State Department of Education. The purpose of the Program is to facilitate the continuous operation of child care facilities in the State by ensuring that qualified substitute child care providers are available to fill the short-term staffing needs of child care facilities on a temporary basis.
Learn More
Washington
House Bill 1128
Proposed: 12/23/2024
Status: 2/12/2025
Referred to Appropriations
Status: 2/12/2025
Referred to Appropriations
Summary
This bill establishes the Washington State Childcare Workforce Standards Board (Board). It requires the Board to adopt minimum standards for compensation and other employment conditions for child care workers. It makes it unlawful for a child care employer to employ a child care worker for lower wages than those required by the Board or for violating other employment standards adopted by the Board.
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Innovative Funding Mechanisms
Connecticut
House Bill 6867
Proposed: 2/6/2025
Status: 4/1/2024:
Referred to Committee on Appropriations
Status: 4/1/2024:
Referred to Committee on Appropriations
Summary
This bill creates a $300M Universal Preschool Endowment to expand affordable preschool options.
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Montana
Senate Bill 47
Proposed:13/29/2025
Status: 4/8/2025:
Passed full Senate.
Status: 4/8/2025:
Passed full Senate.
Summary
The bill establishes the Montana Early Childhood Fund Account. Funds may be used to support grants, quality improvement, affordability, and innovation activities.
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Tax Credits and Incentives
Maryland
Senate Bill 389
Proposed: 1/16/2025
Status: 4/22/2025:
Signed by Governor
Status: 4/22/2025:
Signed by Governor
Summary
The bill exempts personal property used in connection with certain large family child care homes from valuation and taxation. It also increases the property tax credit maximum for certain child care homes and centers.
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Missouri
House Bill 269
Proposed:1/8/2025
Status: 4/15/2025:
Sent to Senate
Status: 4/15/2025:
Sent to Senate
Summary
This bill authorizes the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act", the "Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act", and the "Child Care Providers Tax Credit"
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Georgia
Senate Bill 89: Child Care Income Tax Credit
Proposed: 2/4/2025
Status: 2/21/2025:
Second reading in Senate
Status: 2/21/2025:
Second reading in Senate
Summary
The bill: increases the state's child care tax credit from 30% to 40% of the federal credit; reduces requirements related to allowable tax credits for employers providing child care; and provides a $250 income tax credit for parents of children under 7 years old.
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Creation of Dedicated Early Childhood Agencies
Kansas
HB 2045
Proposed: 1/21/2025
Status: 4/24/2025:
Signed by Governor
Status: 4/24/2025:
Signed by Governor
Summary
The bill establishes the Kansas Office of Early Childhood and the Director of Early Childhood and transfers the administration of child care licensing, parent education programs and the child care subsidy program to the Kansas Office of Early Childhood.
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West Virginia
HB2059
Proposed:12/12/2025
Status: 3/5/2025:
Pending in House Public Education Committee
Status: 3/5/2025:
Pending in House Public Education Committee
Summary
The bill moves child care from the Department of Human Services to the State Board of Education.
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Governors’ State of the State Addresses
Governors’ 2025 State of the State addresses showcased the widespread impact of the child care crisis and an increasing recognition of the importance of expanded investments in this sector. Nearly two-thirds—63 percent—of all governors highlighted child care, pre-kindergarten, and/or early education in their speeches.
Delve into the details from the Center for American Progress
Summary
While each state brings its own context and policy environment to early childhood reform, common threads emerging: dedicated governance, funding strategies, workforce investment, regulatory refinement, and tax-based incentive. They serve to underscore the national momentum transforming early care and education. As these bills continue to evolve, they offer valuable insights into how states are addressing the complex challenges facing families, providers, and communities. TCC will be watching closely as the year progresses and will continue to share updates and analysis to keep our partners informed and engaged.
All Resources
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB753
- https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/47
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/h0243/
- https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/463/details
- https://www.sos.mo.gov/library/reference/orders/2025/eo15
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=1082&Year=2025&Initiative=false
- https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/CGAbillstatus.asp?which_year=2025&selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB6899
- https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=549&year=2025
- https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB2420/2025
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1325?ys=2025RS
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1128&Year=2025&Initiative=false
- https://cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06867&which_year=2025
- https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1199?open_tab=sum
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0389?ys=2025RS
- https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB269&year=2025&code=R
- https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69886
- https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2045/
- https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2059&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
- https://www.americanprogress.org/article/governors-addresses-reveal-bipartisan-nationwide-commitment-to-early-care-and-education/