A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Encouraging the Executive Board of the Legislature to authorize and form a legislative task force to study the issues on, and to consider, develop, and report recommendations and propose legislation on, sustainable improvements to the affordability and availability of childcare in South Dakota.

WHEREAS, quality, affordable, and accessible childcare is critical to support South Dakota's workforce and economic engine; and

WHEREAS, the lack of childcare capacity and affordability is keeping parents out of the workforce; and

WHEREAS, the childcare business model has complex workforce issues; and

WHEREAS, a task force of legislators, state departments, business leaders, and representatives of the childcare industry are needed to solve the childcare crisis; and

WHEREAS, the task force would focus on inadequate data concerning childcare quality, capacity, and challenges; lack of affordability of quality childcare for families; and childcare provider financial and workforce sustainability:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the Ninety-Eighth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that a legislative taskforce is recommended to be under the supervision of the Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council, staffed and funded as an interim legislative committee, and that the task force report to the Legislature and the Governor before the beginning of the Ninety-Ninth Legislative Session. The report may include draft legislation and policy recommendations.