Sen. Ingwersen to introduce bill strengthening child care affordability program
AUGUSTA — When the 132nd Maine Legislature reconvenes in January, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, will introduce legislation to protect a critical program proven to ease the financial burden on child care businesses and retain child care educators in the workforce. “An Act to Secure and Sustain the Maine Child Care Affordability Program,” was approved for introduction in the Legislature’s Second Regular Session by a majority of the Legislative Council in an October 23 meeting.
“As the Senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I remain committed to increasing access to affordable child care and growing the child care workforce,” said Sen. Ingwersen. “Each time I watch my grandkids, I am reminded that child care is hard work. It requires patience and time. I also know that many families and parents rely on child care in their communities, in order to go to school or work or both. If we do not fully invest in child care, then we hold Mainers back from achieving their full potential now and into the future.”
As proposed, the bill seeks to secure the Child Care Employment Award, which helps staff of child care programs afford child care for their own families, in statute. It also proposes increasing program funding from $2.5 million to $3 million. The bill will seek to ensure the program is operating effectively for parents who do the vital work of child care, supporting Maine families and the economy.
In addition to this new bill, Sen. Ingwersen has two child care-related bills that have been carried over to the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature. LD 1728, “An Act to Establish the Maine Child Care Affordability Program Advisory Board,” seeks to establish a board to advise the Office of Child and Family Services on the Maine Child Care Affordability Program. The bill awaits further action and work in the Health and Human Services Committee.
LD 1859, “An Act to Improve Access to Child Care and Early Childhood Education by Establishing Regional Resource Hubs,” seeks to establish, through contracts with community entities, early childhood learning and development resource hubs. Earlier this year, it received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Maine Senate. It now awaits funding on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Table.
New legislation in the Second Regular Session of the Maine Legislature must be approved for introduction by the Legislative Council, which is made up of the Democratic and Republican leaders in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.
The Legislature is set to reconvene for the Second Regular Session on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
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