Childcare Legislation Passes House and Senate

June 13, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

As a parent, I know firsthand how costly childcare is. The difficulty of finding a childcare center, dealing with waitlists, and being able to afford care for your children is a struggle most parents in Connecticut understand. 
 
At the beginning of this session, the Speaker of the House asked me if I’d like to be the lead sponsor of House Bill 5003, our caucus priority bill dealing with childcare. I was honored, and throughout the session, I worked with my House co-lead Rep Farrar, Senate colleagues, Office of Early Childhood, and the governor’s staff to come up with solutions for the lack of affordable childcare in this state.  
 
Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality childcare. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and investing in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments will position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high-quality childcare and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032. 

These bills took the majority of my time this session. After countless meetings with providers, parents, educators, advocates, fellow legislators, and staff members, I am extremely happy of what we delivered and could not be prouder of the course we set our state on. 
Click here to hear my testimony on the House Floor

The bills:
 
Establish a Sustainable Early Childhood Endowment

  • Establishes the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in childcare now and in the future.
  • Deposits up to $600 million into the fund over the next two years.
  • Allows the State Treasurer to invest the money with the long term goals of fund solvency and growth. 

Lower Costs and Increase Access

  • Childcare and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 in household income.
  • Families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of their household income on childcare at participating programs.
  • Add 16,000 new infant, toddler, and Pre-K slots across the state.  
  • Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs, compare costs, and search for subsidized childcare slots.

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

  • Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers.
  • Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators. 

 
Invest in Early Childcare Centers and Programs

  • Authorizes $80 million in bonding over the next 7 years to help with capital improvements, renovation, and expansion of daycare slots. 

 
This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of childcare educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future. 

Sincerely,

Brandon Chafee
State Representative

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