Housing Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-87
AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN PROTECTIONS FOR GROUP AND FAMILY
Title: CHILD CARE HOMES.
Vote Date: 3/11/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/4/2021
File No.: 181
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Sen. Anwar- 3rd District
REASONS FOR BILL:
There is a greater demand for group child and family care homes in our working
communities. Providers have identified barriers on the municipal
level when trying to establish or expand their practice. This law will protect the license of the
child care providers to prevent landlords and homeowners' associations from restricting the
operation of these child care providers.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Beth Bye- Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood- SUPPORTS stating the bill
seeks to remove barriers that hamper the operation of family childcare homes. The Office of
Early Childhood wishes to "support and expand the number of licensed child care programs
in our communities." The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a critical need for childcare as
many families lost access.
Susan Bysiewicz- Lieutenant Governor- SUPPORTS stating the critical importance of
expanding access to licensed childcare homes. Childcare homes are vital to working families:
providing not only parents the opportunity to work, but also for childcare providers an
opportunity to make a living. It also provides low-income households access to quality and
affordable childcare.
Melissa McCaw- Office of Policy and Management- SUPPORTS stating the bill makes it
easier to operate group childcare homes. This expansion is necessary to meet the need that
many low-income families have for affordable and quality childcare services.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Amy Eppler-Epstein- New Haven Legal Assistance Association, Inc.- SUPPORTS stating
licensed home daycare options provide benefits to parents, providers, and children.
Landlords can force home childcare underground, leading to a lack of accountability and
regulation. The bill would also align state regulations with those of New York and California.
Liz Fraser- Policy Director for the Connecticut Association for Human Services- SUPPORTS
stating the bill seeks to provide greater access to childcare. Local zoning often hampers the
ability of providers to run their businesses. Expanding access is especially important as
Connecticut has a shortage of childcare: the state was short 50,000 infant and toddler slots
pre-COVID. The expansion of access also helps support Black and Hispanic owned
businesses.
Madeline Granato- CT Women's Education and Legal Fund- SUPPORTS stating 44% of
residents live in "childcare deserts" without access to any childcare options. What's more, the
state had a 51,000-spot shortage of childcare prior to the pandemic. The bill would expand
access to childcare for low-income, rural, and Black and Hispanic residents.
Izzi Greenberg- Director of the Middlesex Coalition for Children- SUPPORTS stating the bill
enables parents to work, children to learn, and providers to make a living. The bill ensures
that the childcare programs meet state health and safety standards while providing care to
underserved communities.
Emmanuella Lature- Owner of Ma Maison Childcare- SUPPORTS stating she faced a
mountain of opposition to provide quality childcare from local zoning laws, landlords, and
neighbors.
Daniel Shackelford- Yale Law School's Community and Economic Development Clinic-
SUPORTS stating the state has an acute need for affordable childcare as 44% of residents
live in a childcare desert. The bill would help alleviate the shortage of childcare options the
state faces, as well as lower costs for low-income families. The bill would also bring
Connecticut regulations in line with the likes of California and New York.
Sana Shah- Connecticut Voices for Children- SUPPORTS stating 44% of residents live in
childcare deserts. The bill would work to alleviate existing childcare shortages.
Jade Thomas- SUPPORTS stating the state has a shortage of 51,000 childcare slots.
The following SUPPORT SB 87 stating the bill provides clarification on state zoning statutes:
Sean Ghio
Raphael Podolsky- CT Legal Services
Christie Stewart- Fairfield County's Center for Housing Opportunity
The following SUPPORT SB 87 stating quality childcare is often determined by zip-code, this
bill works to expand access to quality childcare to low-income residents. Homebased
childcare is 2/3 less expensive than typical childcare. Less expensive providers are critical as
Page 2 of 3 SB-87
childcare costs 44% of the median single mother's income, and 15% of the median famility
income:
Kennedy Bennet
Esha Bhattacharya
Colby Bladow
Sydney Bryant
Josephine Cureton
McKenzie Denham
Patrick Feely
Margaret Hankins
Nick Jacobson
Sophie Kane
Isabella Morales
Evan Roberts
Rosie Rothschild
Emma Wallner
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Connecticut Council of Municipalities- OPPOSES stating the bill represents an unfunded
mandate. CCM highlights that they do not oppose group childcare homes but wish to
maintain the ability to regulate them through local zoning.
Betsy Gara- Executive Director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns OPPOSES
stating the bill limits municipal control over zoning. It is the responsibility to towns to support
and protect residents.
Paul Januszewski- President of the Greater Enfield Landlord Association- OPPOSES
stating the bill would limit a landlord's control of their own properties. Allowing these types of
childcare programs can lead to a loss of tenants.
Reported by: Gabriel Turco Date: 3/30/2021
Page 3 of 3 SB-87


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 8-3j, 8-2, 8-1bb
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute: 8-3j, 8-2, 8-1bb
File No. 181: 8-3j, 8-2, 8-1bb