Two new bills aimed at easing qualification requirements for child care professionals and providing parents with more flexibility were discussed in the Minnesota House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee this week. HF 1247 focuses on extending a program that allows substitute teachers during drop-off and pick-up times, while HF 628 aims to ease regulations for child care workers, such as lowering the age requirement for assistant teachers.
The bills come in response to rising child care costs and staff shortages in Minnesota, with recent studies showing that child care in the state can cost up to $16,000 per child per year. While some lawmakers expressed concerns about the quality of care and the impact of reducing qualifications on child care costs, supporters argue that these changes are necessary to address the current challenges faced by child care providers and families.
The bills are part of a broader effort to make child care more affordable and accessible in Minnesota, as the state ranks fourth in the nation for highest child care costs according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
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