With pressing child care shortage, House lawmakers advancing more bills on the issue

Child care providers and advocates attended Child Care Advocacy Day on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, at the West Virginia Capitol to ask lawmakers for help. The House of Delegates has advanced two bills to address the state's child care shortage. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

Lawmakers in House committees advanced two key pieces of child care legislation on Thursday that could help providers that are struggling to stay open due to cost and a worker shortage.

Tiffany Gale, owner of Miss Tiffany’s Early Childhood Education House in Weirton, said legislative help is necessary.

“Child care providers have been having to close down classrooms and shut their doors because our industry is not stable,” Gale said.

She joined other child care providers and advocates at the Capitol on Wednesday to ask lawmakers to change how reimbursements work, along with a host of other needs for the struggling industry that has left nearly 26,000 young children on a waitlist for care.

A central issue is the way the centers are reimbursed by the state; right now, they’re reimbursed based on attendance, meaning that the rate constantly fluctuates when kids are out for sickness, vacations and more.

Gale noted that teachers get paid regardless of whether students are there that day. Child care providers want the same opportunity.

On Thursday, the House Committee on Health approved a measure, House Bill 4797 , that would bring that change — mandating that the state reimburse child care providers based on enrollment.

Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha

“This is one of the most important bills we’ll see this session. It’s worth it,” said Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, who was the only member to speak in favor of the bill. “We have some of the worst workforce participation in the country and some of that is because of this child care crisis. It’s going to help a lot of people get back to work.”

The measure heads to the House floor for consideration.

The federal government has also suggested moving to the enrollment-based reimbursement structure in an effort to stabilize the industry nationwide amid worsening child care shortages .

During the pandemic, the federal government allowed the state to offer subsidies to child care providers based on enrollment, and the state health department will continue this through August using state and emergency funds.

The bill is one of several child care-focused bills introduced this session, with Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, a lead supporter of the bipartisan effort aimed at addressing child shootings and helping the state better attract big business investments.

Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam

“ I am pleased to report that progress is being made on the crucial child care legislation currently under consideration in the House,” Crouse said in an email.

“As we navigate this legislative process, I remain optimistic about the potential for positive outcomes that will enhance the well-being of children and families throughout our state,” she wrote.

House lawmakers in the Committee on Seniors, Families and Children on Thursday advanced a bill, HB 4002 , that would provide a child care subsidy for parents working 20 hours or more at licensed child care centers regardless of household income.

The bill is meant to incentivize workers to fill available child care jobs, which would expand the capacity for children.

“Child care employers are in massive need because they can’t find workers,” Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, told committee members. Young is also spearheading child care legislation this session.

Del. Walter Hall, R-Kanawha, said the legislation was “much-needed.”

“ We have to help our families, and ultimately we have to help our children,” he said.

The legislation, along with several other child care pieces, await consideration in the House Finance Committee, where they could undergo scrutiny for potential cost.

Crouse said she is hopeful that the bills will advance out of the committee.

“ Recognizing the significance of these legislative efforts, we are actively coordinating a meeting with the Finance committee chairman to discuss all the bills comprehensively,” she said. “This collaborative approach underscores our commitment to ensuring the passage of impactful legislation that addresses the critical needs of our community, particularly in the realm of child care. ”

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