HB648 would establish a childcare scholarship program for children in a licensed or registered childcare facility, setting the income eligibility level at 185% of the federal poverty level, requiring a monthly copayment not exceeding 9% of the family's monthly income, and providing an appropriation of $7million a year for this program. Not clear what the scholarship amount is.
The proposed bill was sent to the Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs committee on April 5, 2023. Find contact information for committee members here.
Follow progress of this bill here.
HB-648 is one of the good bills that made it to the final stretch. I heard that it got tabled in the Finance Committee, but I'm hoping that the Legislative status that says it hasn't been voted on yet is accurate. If so, it's not too late (Apr 22) to support it in the committe or with Legislators before they vote on the Floor, if it does pass out of the Committee.
The protestors in Tennessee bring up a valid point
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