Bill to Expand Access to Child Care Receives Unanimous Committee Support

LD 1428 would make it easier to start child care businesses to support Maine families

AUGUSTA – The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee last week voted unanimously to advance a bill (LD 1428) from Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford) that would help child care entrepreneurs open facilities to increase the availability of child care across Maine.   

“I appreciate the committee’s thoughtful work on this bill and the bipartisan support for increasing child care access, which is critical for Maine families,” said Speaker Ryan Fecteau. “This bill will make it easier for those who have the spark of entrepreneurship to open child care businesses, with positive results for Maine children, Maine families, and our state’s economy.” 

LD 1428 proposes to: 

• Allow child care facilities and family child care providers to operate without an outdoor recreational space if the facility is within a reasonable distance of an outdoor public recreational space.

• Require municipalities to allow family child care providers to operate in any areas that are zoned for residential purposes. 

Child care leaders and bill cosponsors shared appreciation for the unanimous vote and bipartisan support: 

"We are thrilled to see the unanimous passage of LD 1428 in the Health and Human Services Committee. This important legislation, championed by Speaker Fecteau, reflects a deep understanding of the vital role family child care providers play in supporting Maine’s children, families, and workforce,” Jennifer Wescott, President, Family Child Care Association of Maine and owner of Feels Like Home Family Child Care. “By encouraging the growth of family child care businesses and expanding opportunities for child care in diverse community settings, LD 1428 helps lay the foundation for a more accessible and sustainable early childhood education system. We commend the Committee for their leadership and look forward to seeing this bill move forward."

"The unanimous passage of LD 1428 by the Health and Human Services Committee marks a critical step toward expanding child care access across Maine,” said Heather Marden, Co-Executive Director, Maine Association for the Education of Young Children. “With over a quarter of Mainers living in areas with little to no access to child care, we must remove barriers and create real opportunities for providers to start and grow their businesses. Speaker Fecteau's work on this legislation reflects the kind of creative thinking we need—especially at the intersection of child care and housing. By encouraging child care opportunities in a variety of community settings, LD 1428 helps lay the groundwork for stronger families, more resilient communities, and a more stable workforce. We thank the Committee for their commitment to child care initiatives and look forward to the continued progress this represents for Maine's children and families."

"I’m proud to support common sense solutions that make child care more accessible and affordable for Maine families,” said Representative Amanda Collamore (R-Pittsfield), who co-sponsored the bill. “I am grateful to the HHS committee for recognizing the need to remove unnecessary barriers and better utilize community spaces for childcare services to ensure children have safe, nurturing places to grow."

The bill will head to the House and Senate for additional votes in the coming weeks.

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