Over the last year, we have listened to child care providers from every corner of the Commonwealth.  It is abundantly clear that we are in the midst of  a child care affordability crisis.  Working families struggle on a daily basis to cover the cost of child care.  In fact, two kids in child care in Pennsylvania costs more than one year of in-state college tuition.  At the same time, child care providers grapple with onerous regulations that create financial burdens making it necessary to increase child care rates. 

According to a 2026 Archbridge Institute study, Pennsylvania is the third most regulated state in the nation for child care.  Regulation of the child care industry is necessary to keep our children safe. However, we also must acknowledge that excessive regulatory burdens on child care providers have unnecessarily increased the costs for providers to deliver care. 

Based on the information we have gathered over the last year, my colleagues and I are introducing this legislative package to directly target the many concerns repeatedly expressed by those providers. These legislative changes will positively impact providers across the state, and will in turn, make child care more affordable for our working families.

Please join us in co-sponsoring one or all of these bills.