Ohio House Committee Advances Two Key Child Care Bills
An Ohio House committee has advanced two key child care bills, House Bill 2 and House Bill 41, designed to improve access and affordability of child care across the state, though concerns remain over state spending.
House Bill 2 proposes a cost-sharing model for child care, capping eligibility at 400% of the federal poverty level. Under this plan, the state would contribute 20%, while the employer and employee would each cover 40%.
The bill does not require providers to participate in Ohio’s Step Up to Quality rating system. It passed the House Children and Human Services Committee with a 12–1 vote, with Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) casting the sole “no” vote due to concerns about state-subsidized child care and previous impacts of Step Up to Quality.
Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) supported the bill but suggested the House Finance Committee review the funding levels, signaling possible changes ahead.
House Bill 41, also passed by the committee, would allocate $10.25 million per year for two years to fund grants that expand child care capacity and support employer-based child care initiatives. The bill tasks the Ohio Department of Children and Youth with administering the program.
Richardson praised HB 41 as a “strong pilot program” but again urged further fiscal scrutiny. Fowler Arthur, and Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) voted against the bill but did not provide public reasons.
Both bills now move forward for potential full House consideration, while lawmakers continue budget negotiations ahead of the end-of-June deadline.
