Addressing the state’s child care deserts, the Oregon House voted in support of House Bill 2468 and House Bill 2683, critical legislation that will expand access to affordable, reliable child care for working families.
House Bill 2468 allows tenants to use rented units as child care facilities, supporting in-home child care providers and expanding care options for parents.
“Child care is essential to enabling families to participate in the economy,” said Representative Janelle Bynum (D-Happy Valley & N Clackamas County). “Many of these in-home providers are women of color and women who speak a language other than English, stepping up to serve in these highly-critical jobs when others are not willing or able. They are important, valuable small business owners, opening up their own homes in service to their communities, and it is critical that we support their work.”
House Bill 2683 expands access to Oregon’s Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program, establishing independent bases of eligibility that includes household income, employment status, involvement with child welfare, and a child or family’s use of homelessness services, amongst other eligibility criteria. These changes will help decrease financial barriers many low-income, working families face in accessing child care.
“HB 2683 is part of an ongoing effort to ensure all families have access to affordable child care,” said Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend). “Access to child care for our most vulnerable families helps set those children up for success and helps make sure we are supporting the workforce our communities need.”
House Bill 2468 passed 37-20 and House Bill 2683 passed 54-3. Both bills now head to the Senate where they will fail to be considered unless Senate Republicans get back to work.
