Re: SB 25.13 Reduction of Childcare Costs Act (Passed)

[Mike Thick]

I can sponsor

[Mike Thick]

Ack, sorry. Here goes.

In areas where schools are closed, people that can't afford childcare have a choice: go to work and leave your child at home alone, or take care of your kid and miss a paycheck. For one thing, this makes Atlasia's efforts to safely reopen nearly impossible -- if people can't work, the economy can't get back off the ground. But moreover, this crisis is a moral one. Atlasians, through no fault of their own, have been put in a position where they must choose between their families and their livelihoods. It's our duty to step up and lend a hand.

This bill tackles the problem head-on, allocating money to state governments to address the burgeoning cost of providing childcare. I support it in full, and encourage you all to do the same.

[Mike Thick]

Looks great but this is something that should be done pandemic or not?

I'm not sure what you mean by this

[Mike Thick]

Aye

[Mike Thick]

The vote is now closed. The bill has passed with six ayes, zero nays, and zero abstentions.

[Mike Thick]

A BILL

To mitigate the costs of childcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Be it ordained by the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Section I. Title
i. The title of this legislation shall be the Reduction of Childcare Costs Act
ii. The purpose of this legislation is to reduce childcare costs

Section II. Provisions
i. In response to the declared public health emergency, to hereby establish a national child care stabilization fund
ii. The national child care fund shall be financed through taxation
iii. To establish categorical grants to each state in the Republic of Atlasia, child care stabilization grants shall be authorized to the appropriate agency of each state
iv. The fund shall not exceed an amount of $50,000,000 $300,000,000
v. The fund may also be used to grant child care tax subsidies to states through revenue sharing, which in turn, can direct them to municipalities

Section III. Use of Grants
i. The state agency may only use the grants established by law to carry out activities to improve the supply and quality of child care such as conducting community assessment of child care centers OR to aid individuals in reducing their childcare costs by applying to the appropriate state agency
ii. The grant amount shall be based on the operating expenses of centers

People's House of Representatives
Passed 6-1-0-2 in the House of Representatives

Senate
Passed 6-0-0-0 in the Senate