House Bill No. 2025-2026 aims to establish child care grant programs in Ohio, focusing on enhancing child care capacity and creating learning labs. The bill appropriates $10,250,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with $10,000,000 allocated for a grant program administered by the Department of Children and Youth. This program is designed to assist employers in retrofitting or building child care facilities and partnering with various organizations to increase child care availability in communities. Priority for grants will be given to employers, government entities, and nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a commitment to providing publicly funded child care and participating in the state's quality rating system.

Additionally, the bill allocates $250,000 each fiscal year for the establishment of a cohort of child care grant recipients and the creation of an Employer-Based Child Care Co-Design Learning Lab. This initiative aims to provide training and resources for future grant applicants and support employers in expanding child care capacity. The selected entity will facilitate knowledge-sharing, technical assistance, and the development of an employer toolkit that includes strategies for expanding child care capacity and applying for available tax credits. The Department of Children and Youth will oversee the distribution of these resources and ensure they are accessible to relevant stakeholders.