SB 404-FN (2024): relative to expanding child care professionals' eligibility for the child care scholarship program.

SB 404-FN (2024)

relative to expanding child care professionals' eligibility for the child care scholarship program.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Special Committee on Childcare
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Children
• Chapter law: 355

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 3, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-0566s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-0566s) was adopted on a voice vote on February 15, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On February 15, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1344s). The committee's amendment (2024-1344s) was adopted on a roll call 13–11 on April 5, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On April 5, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House and was referred to the House Special Committee on Childcare committee. The committee met in executive session on April 17, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a public hearing on April 17, 2024, with 71 people signed in online: 10 in support, 2 in opposition and 59 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on April 24, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 10–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1571h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1571h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 2, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 2, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 2, 2024 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held work sessions on May 7, 2024 and May 10, 2024. The committee met in executive session on May 14, 2024 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 23–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1921h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1921h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 23, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 23, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 30, 2024 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Regina Birdsell. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2024-2352e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 2, 2024, making it Chapter 355 of the session laws. It took effect on January 1, 2025.

Sponsors

• Sen. Rebecca Whitley (D - SD15) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Donna Soucy (D - SD18)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Shannon Chandley (D - SD11)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D - SD20)
• Sen. Jeb Bradley (R - SD3)
• Rep. Charles McMahon (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. David Paige (D - Carr 1)
• Rep. Alexis Simpson (D - Rock 33)
• Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 19)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 3, 2024, 1:00 PM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, LOB 101
• April 17, 2024, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Special Committee on Childcare, LOB 104
• April 17, 2024, 10:15 AM: executive session, House Special Committee on Childcare, LOB 104
• April 24, 2024, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Special Committee on Childcare, LOB 104
• May 7, 2024, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• May 10, 2024, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• May 14, 2024, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211

Votes

• February 15, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-0566s — voice vote, passed
• April 5, 2024, Senate: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 13, nays 11, passed
• April 5, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1344s — voice vote, passed
• May 2, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1571h — voice vote, passed
• May 23, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1921h — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 7
• SC 13
• HC 17, page 13
• HC 20, page 19