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MarylandHB 08492026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Child Care Scholarship Program - Freeze in Enrollment - Exceptions and Waitlist

Sponsored By: Bernice Mireku-North (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Education - MiscellaneousApplicants and ApplicationsChild CareChildren (4-12)Early Childhood EducationEducation, State Department ofFormsIndigent PersonsInfants and Toddlers (0-3)Job Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabKinship -see also- Parents and GuardiansLow-IncomeParents and GuardiansPublic Benefits -see also- Housing; MedAsst; SupplNutrAsstPPublic Employees -see also- State EmployeesReportsScholarships and Student Financial AidTimeUnemploymentWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Child care copays cannot increase

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department may not raise child care scholarship copays above the amounts in place on January 1, 2024, except as allowed in §9.5‑113(d). This protects families from higher out‑of‑pocket costs. This applies only if Chapter 595 of 2026 takes effect.

Child care freeze exceptions and fair waitlist

Beginning July 1, 2026, enrollment freezes do not block these groups: families on Temporary Cash Assistance or TANF; a child, parent, or caregiver on SSI; a sibling of a child already in the Program; and homeless children. They still must meet normal Program rules. When a freeze exists, the Department keeps a waitlist and gives awards in this order: lowest‑income families first; then parents who work 20+ hours a week for a qualifying child care provider; then families enrolling a child under age 3; then those waiting the longest. The application now asks about 20‑hour child care employment to set priority. Until the new form is ready, the Department must keep enrolling prioritized people using the waitlist. This applies only if Chapter 595 of 2026 takes effect.

Stable funding and child care rate planning

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Governor must fund the Child Care Scholarship Program at least at the larger of its total FY2018 or FY2019 level. Every two years, the Department conducts a market‑rate analysis and, by September 1, reports costs to reach the 45th, 55th, 65th, and 75th percentile rates by region, a minimum base payment, and any proposed rate, eligibility, or copay changes with their impacts. These steps guide stable funding and fair provider payments. This applies only if Chapter 595 of 2026 takes effect.

Review job training rules for eligibility

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department reviews how it counts job training for Child Care Scholarship eligibility. It considers other ways to measure training that could qualify more parents. A report is due to the General Assembly by December 15, 2026. This applies only if Chapter 595 of 2026 takes effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bernice Mireku-North

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jackie Addison

    Democratic • House

  • Marlon Amprey

    Democratic • House

  • Dylan Behler

    Democratic • House

  • Adrian Boafo

    Democratic • House

  • Jason C. Buckel

    Republican • House

  • Eric Ebersole

    Democratic • House

  • Jessica Feldmark

    Democratic • House

  • Anne R. Kaiser

    Democratic • House

  • Aaron M. Kaufman

    Democratic • House

  • Aletheia McCaskill

    Democratic • House

  • Gabriel M. Moreno

    Democratic • House

  • Julie Palakovich Carr

    Democratic • House

  • Cheryl E. Pasteur

    Democratic • House

  • Edith J. Patterson

    Democratic • House

  • N. Scott Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Queen

    Democratic • House

  • Kent Roberson

    Democratic • House

  • Malcolm P. Ruff

    Democratic • House

  • Sean A. Stinnett

    Democratic • House

  • Kym Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Joe Vogel

    Democratic • House

  • Melissa Wells

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Jheanelle K. Wilkins

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole A. Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Wims

    Democratic • House

  • Caylin Young

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 166 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 4

House vote • 3/11/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 123 • No: 13 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 594

    5/26/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (43-0)

    4/13/2026Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Adopted

    4/10/2026Senate

  6. Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

    4/10/2026Senate

  7. Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment)

    3/15/2026Senate

  8. Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment Budget and Taxation

    3/12/2026Senate

  9. Third Reading Passed (123-13)

    3/11/2026House

  10. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/10/2026House

  11. Favorable with Amendments {193322/1 Adopted

    3/10/2026House

  12. Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

    3/9/2026House

  13. Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m. (Ways and Means)

    2/13/2026House

  14. Reassigned to Ways and Means Appropriations

    2/12/2026House

  15. First Reading Ways and Means

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/10/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/4/2026

    PDF

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