HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 96

(By Delegates Storch, Bridges, Forsht, Howell, Kimes, Miller, Clark, Walker, Zukoff and Young)

[Introduced April 6, 2021]

Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study childcare in the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the importance of excellent child care to the working residents in this state; and

Whereas, The Legislature acknowledges the need to have quality, efficient child care providers to build West Virginia’s population; and

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes there are challenges experienced by families and child care providers; and

Whereas, These challenges include burdensome childcare costs to families, a lack of support and consideration of childcare as a critical need by the state, and stringent operating regulations for childcare centers; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Department for Health and Human Resources administers the Child Care Development Block Grant to give financial assistance to low income families for childcare costs.  Centers are reimbursed for childcare on a monthly basis based on what tier they have achieved.  Centers are either Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 (accredited institution), with higher tiered centers receive greater reimbursement; and

Whereas, Centers report that accepting these grants, also known as Title XX funds, create a loss of income for childcare centers because reimbursed funds are less than costs charged for noneligible children; and

Whereas, Childcare centers are only reimbursed based if the eligible child attends for the day, which is permitted only if the child’s parent is working or in school. Eligible children are also required to be in the center’s care for greater than four hours per day, 13 days per month for the center to be eligible for full reimbursement; and

Whereas, The regulations surrounding child care operations and staff are demanding.  Childcare is typically a low paying job with minimal benefits, high demands, and long days which lead to high staff turnover and difficulty in retaining quality staff; and

Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic created unique childcare burdens for childcare centers and families for which COVID Relief funds were dedicated; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study issues surrounding childcare in the State of West Virginia. The study should examine how COVID Relief funds dedicate to childcare centers are being utilized; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study shall examine regulations surrounding childcare centers, and what benefits and burdens those regulations created on childcare centers and employees; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study examine categorizing early education and childcare as a critical need in the state budget; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study shall examine how support for childcare centers, such as behavioral health specialists, are currently being utilized and compensated; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study examine the stipulations for Child Care Development Block Grants, including what stipulations are currently required and if such requirements are necessary for the administration of the program; and, be it

Further Resolved, That not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2022 regular session of the Legislature, the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.