Magaziner Cosponsors Legislation to Expand Access to Affordable Childcare

Bill will also help parents to re-enter the workforce and ensure childcare providers are paid livable wages 

Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced that he has co-sponsored H.R. 2817, the Child Care for Working Families Act, to expand access to affordable childcare, help parents to re-enter the workforce, and ensure that childcare providers are paid livable wages.  

This legislation will ensure that working families pay no more than 7 percent of their income on child care, early childhood educators earn livable wages, and families have more child care options in their communities. 

The Child Care for Working Families Act would create three key programs: 

1. The Birth Through Five Child Care and Early Learning Program, a Federal-State Partnership, to ensure all working families have access to high-quality, affordable child care;
2. The Building an Affordable System for Early Education (BASE) Grants to ensure every State receives funding to support child care providers, increase worker pay, and improve access for families; and
3. The Universal Preschool Program to expand access to high-quality preschool programs. 

The bill also would also provide funding for Head Start agencies to provide full school year and full school day services, and ensure Head Start and Early Head Start teachers and staff receive wages that are comparable to wages for elementary educators with similar credentials and experience in the State or, at a minimum, receive a living wage.  

“As a new father, I know firsthand how challenging it is to find quality, affordable child care. It’s long past time that we act to curb the rising cost of child care, which is holding too many kids back, keeping parents out of the workforce, and slowing down our economy,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner, member of the Congressional Dads Caucus. 

“The Child Care for Working Families Act would tackle the child care crisis by capping costs, expanding access, and ensuring that child care workers can earn a livable wage. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation so that all Rhode Island families can access the high-quality, affordable child care they deserve.”

The Child Care for Working Families Act is being led by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). The bill is endorsed by over 120 child care advocacy groups, including The National Child Care Association (NCCA),American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the American Federation of Teachers.