Montana Democrats pass bill to lower childcare costs
New law will lower families’ out of pocket costs, expand eligibility for scholarships, and stabilize providers’ reimbursements
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News from Hannah VanHoose, Montana House Democrats’ Chief of Staff
HELENA — During the week of June 12, legislation championed by Montana Democrats to invest in Montana’s small businesses and workforce by increasing access to affordable childcare was signed into law. HB 648, sponsored by Representative Alice Buckley (D-Bozeman), represents the most significant investment in childcare in the state’s history. The bill takes a multi-pronged approach to improve the Best Beginnings scholarship program by expanding eligibility, capping copays at an affordable level, and stabilizing childcare providers’ reimbursements.
Rep. Buckley’s HB 648 expands eligibility for childcare scholarships to families making 185% of the federal poverty level, or $30,000 a year for a family of four. It also limits copays for lower and middle income Montana families. Before the codification of HB 648, Montana’s copay structure resulted in families paying up to 14% of their monthly income, leaving them less than $2,000 a month to cover housing, food, and other family expenses. Under HB 648, families’ copays will be capped at 9% of their monthly income.
“Ensuring Montana families have access to quality, affordable childcare means our economy can thrive - and so can our communities and kids,” says Rep. Buckley. “HB 648 marks the most substantive investment in childcare we’ve seen in Montana, and I am so proud we have finally taken action to address our state’s childcare crisis.”
Childcare for the youngest children in Montana now costs as much as tuition at a four-year university and half of Montana’s counties are designated as child care deserts. HB 648 passed with bipartisan support in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
