SENATOR MAHER CO-LEADS SENATE IN EXPANDING CHILD CARE ACCESS

State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) joined her Senate colleagues on Friday to co-lead the passage of legislation to expand access to childcare across the state.

Senate Bill 1 — 2025’s flagship proposal from the state Senate’s Democratic majority — directly responds to some of the most pressing issues faced by Connecticut families and municipalities. It will provide relief for parents struggling to pay for costly child care, alleviating pressures continuing to impact their households.

“This legislation represents expansion of child care access across Connecticut in the next five years, helping countless families and easing the financial pressures caused by child care shortages,” said Sen. Maher. “I could not be more proud to join my colleagues in advancing these key priorities, which will benefit children and parents across the state.”

The bill creates a first-in-the-nation, independent investment vehicle to support expanded childcare with greater access. The Early Childhood Education Endowment will be supported by the unappropriated general fund surplus, capped at $300 million this year and utilizing the total expected surplus in subsequent years.

The endowment will eventually support the creation of an estimated 16,000 additional preschool and infant toddler child care spaces by 2030. These new slots will be free or reduced cost, depending on the income of the households enrolling their children in qualifying programs. Families earning less than $100,000 will receive free child care, while households earning more will have access to child care in the Early Start program at a cost that will not exceed 7% of their income.

The proposal requires that within the next three years, at least 35% of new child care slots serve infants and toddlers, directly addressing a critical shortfall in Connecticut’s child care system.

The bill also includes several provisions designed to support the child care and pre-kindergarten workforce. It features a health insurance subsidy program for child care workers, addressing a pervasive barrier to workforce retention in the industry. Senate Bill 1 also allows for more competitive and sustainable educator wages through rates established by the Office of Early Childhood.