Media Statement: Gov. Scott Signs Landmark Child Care Bill

Last night, Governor Phil Scott signed landmark child care legislation (H.171) into law. Let’s Grow Kids applauds the governor’s and the Legislature's leadership on this issue and looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration and Legislature to achieve our shared goal of ensuring all Vermont families have equitable access to high-quality, affordable child care.

Governor Scott’s approval of H.171—a bill that received near unanimous support in the Legislature—affirms that child care is essential to Vermont’s children, families, economy, and recovery.

COVID-19 put a spotlight on the fragility of our country’s child care system. Families can’t afford to pay more and early childhood educators can’t afford to earn less. H.171 sets the stage for true child care reform in Vermont by naming twin goals: 1) That Vermont families spend no more than 10% of their annual income on child care; and 2) That Vermont’s early childhood educators will be fairly compensated and well-supported.

In addition to making $12.7 million in investments to address the child care crisis right now, H.171 commits Vermont policymakers to doing the hard work of identifying a stable, long-term funding source that will support an equitable, high-quality, affordable early childhood education system for generations to come.