PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) A House bill aimed at boosting childcare employment is now set to be debated on the Senate floor. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved House Bill 11-32 with a 5-2 vote on Monday. Critics argue that the legislation could prompt employees in various public service sectors to demand similar childcare subsidies. But supporters contend that if the bill passes, such subsidies won’t be necessary. The proposed legislation would require the Department of Social Services to exclude both earned and unearned income from eligibility calculations for its Childcare Assistance Program, as long as the applicant works for a childcare service provider. Over the past three decades, childcare costs nationwide have gone up more than 200%.
Subsidized Childcare Moves Closer to Approval in SD Legislature
A House bill aimed at boosting childcare employment is now headed to the Senate floor after being approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee with a 5-2 vote on Monday. House Bill 11-32 seeks to expand eligibility for the state's Childcare Assistance Program by excluding both earned and unearned income from eligibility calculations for applicants employed by childcare service providers.
