PennAEYC stays current on proposals and actions to change the early care and education system at the state and federal levels so we can influence the outcome and inform our members and other concerned Pennsylvanians of possible change.
PennAEYC Positions Statements
PennAEYC monitors and responds to legislative, regulatory and administrative actions impacting the early care and education system at the state and federal levels. Learn more about current proposals by downloading our position statements. If you have questions please contact Kimberly Early.
2023-24 Pennsylvania Legislation
House Bill - Carbon Monoxide Alarms Standards in Child Care Facilities Act
House Bill 494 creates the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards in Child Care Facilities Act. The Act would require that each building where a child care facility is operating that uses fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, fireplace or in an attached garage, have an operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide alarm installed in the vicinity of the heater or fireplace. A carbon monoxide alarm would also need to be located in every unit on the same story as the heater or appliance.
The Department of Human Services would be authorized to take enforcement action against a child care facility for a violation of the carbon monoxide alarm requirements.
The bill would take effect in 90 days with child care facilities required to meet the carbon monoxide alarm requirement within 18 months of the effective date.
HB 494 PN 463 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement
House Bill - Employee Child Care Public Private Partnership
House Bill 975 amends the Human Services Code to establish an Employee Child Care Public Private Partnership within the Department of Human Services (DHS).
In order to administer the partnership, DHS may coordinate and share information with other agencies and enter into contracts to administer the partnership or parts of the partnership. DHS must:
- Create and publish a standard contract to participate in the partnership.
- Review and process submitted contracts.
- Notify parties of the contract of their enrollment status in the partnership.
- Manage and administer the Employee Child-Care Public Private Partnership Fund.
- Verify eligibility for employee, employer or child care provider for participation in the partnership.
- Collect and verify household income information from eligible employees and determine the eligible match amount.
- Distribute educational materials about the partnership to employer, employees and child care providers.
An employer may participate in the partnership as a benefit of employment. Employers must enter into a contract with an employee and a child care provider. Employers must submit a contract and any additional information to DHS and contribute directly to the child care provider for the employee’s costs. Employees are responsible for the balance if the employer payment and the DHS match do not cover the cost of child care.
The Employee Child-Care Public Private Partnership Fund is established in the State Treasury with funds appropriated from the General Assembly, contributions, gifts or grants. The fund, administered by DHS, are to be used for the partnership.
The act would take effect immediately.
Download PennAEYC’s position statement here:
HB 975 PN 995 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement DRAFT
House Bill - Keystone STARS
House Bill 1020 amends the Human Services Code, Articles IX and X, to add a section to allow providers to:
- Post their STAR-level rating on their website;
- Provide the STAR-level rating in writing to the parent in a linguistically appropriate manner along with the DHS website where information on the Keystone STARS Program can be found and;
- Obtain the DHS-issued placard with their STAR-level rating which may be posted in a public-facing location.
HB 1020 PN 1264 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement
House Bill - Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit Program
House Bill 1259 expands Pennsylvania's Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit Program beginning after December 31, 2021. Employment-related expenses incurred by the taxpayer who also claimed a federal tax credit during the prior taxable year can earn a tax credit.
Senate Bill - Carbon Monoxide Alarms Standards in Child Care Facilities Act
Senate Bill 205 creates the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards in Child Care Facilities Act. The Act would require that each building where a child care facility is operating that uses fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, fireplace or in an attached garage, have an operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide alarm installed in the vicinity of the heater or fireplace. A carbon monoxide alarm would also need to be located in every unit on the same story as the heater or appliance. Nothing in the Act is intended to modify the authority and responsibility of the Department of Labor and Industry under the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.
Child care facilities may not be granted a license or certificate of compliance from the Department of Human Services without meeting the requirements of Section 4. A child care facility may be granted a provisional license if they are not in compliance with the requirements of Section 4.
The bill would take effect in 90 days with child care facilities required to meet the carbon monoxide requirement within 18 months of the effective date.
Download PennAEYC’s position statement here: SB 205, PN 177 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement
PN refers to the term "printer's number". Bills have a printer’s number in the upper right-hand corner, known as the printer’s number. If a bill is amended, it is given a new printer’s number to reflect changes have been made to the bill. All previous numbers are in the upper left-hand corner of a bill.
For information on how to read a bill, please go here.