Early Childhood and School-Age Care Policy Notes

North Dakota's 68th Legislative Assembly adjourned on April 30, 2023. They have 5 days remaining of the 80 days allowed by the state constitution every two years to meet before the 69th Legislative Assembly begins in January 2025.

ND Afterschool Network and Child Care Aware of ND closely tracked the 12 bills below relating to early childhood and school-age care this session. A total of $65.5 million was included in the biennium budget for childcare, including $22 million for families to help with childcare assistance, $15 million to assist with infant and toddler care, $7 million in grants for providers, and $2 million in stipends for childcare workers.

With the regular session coming to a close, policy emails will be sent as relevant details develop and will resume weekly updates as the next legislative session approaches.

The ND Afterschool Network will continue to advocate for school-age care, including school-age licensed and licensed exempt out-of-school time programming working with youth ages PreK through grade 12. To stay involved, consider joining the Afterschool Policy Workgroup. Comprised of stakeholders throughout North Dakota, the policy workgroup meets regularly to help guide the Network's policy agenda and strategize advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal level.

Learn more below or contact Kristin.Knorr@k12.nd.us.

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Failed Bills (not passed in both House & Senate)

SB 2190: Relating to the child care assistance program; and to provide a statement of legislative intent.

Last Official Action: Committee reported back do not pass, failed to pass in House 4/17.

HB 1488: Relating to permission for a student to participate in extracurricular activities, cocurricular activities, and clubs.

Last Official Action: Passed in House (2/14), failed to pass in Senate (3/20)

SB 2301: Relating to the establishment of a child care stabilization program.

Last Official Action: Voted on House Floor 3/17, failed to pass (14 yeas, 78 nays)

SB 2237: Relating to child care income tax credits; and to provide an effective date.

Last Official Action: 3/17 Vote on House Floor, failed to pass (14 yeas, 78 nays)

Bills passed in both House & Senate

SB 2012: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of various divisions of the department of health and human services; to provide an exemption; and to provide for a report.

HB 1540 was introduced through the delayed bill process which took some childcare components out of the DHHS budget (SB 2012), including childcare assistance program, quality tiers, employee match program, grants and shared services, nontraditional care provider support, worker training stipends, and streamlining background checks.

Last Official Action: Passed both Senate (4/26) and House (4/27). Sent to Governor.

SB 2104: Relating to early childhood services, resource and referral services, workforce development, early childhood inclusion support program, best in class program, and disclosure of child abuse and neglect confirmed decisions involving early childhood services.

Last Official Action: Passed both Senate (1/13) and House (3/29).

SB 2238: Relating to criminal history checks for early childhood services providers; and to provide for a legislative management study.

Last Official Action: Passed both Senate (2/17) and House (3/21)

HB 1521: Relating to alternative curriculum outside of a classroom.

Last Official Action: Passed in House (2/13) and Senate (3/15)

HB 1144: Relating to required training for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect for public and nonpublic school teachers, administrators, and counselors, and early childhood services providers.

Last Official Action: Passed in House (1/30) and Senate (3/16)

SB 2182: Relating to the definition of early childhood services.

Last Official Action: Passed in Senate (2/9) and House (3/7)

SB 2084: Relating to child care assistance payments to providers.

Last Official Action: Passed in Senate (1/13) and House (3/7), signed by Governor (3/13)

North Dakota Legislative Solutions

North Dakota State Agency Recommendations

https://ndafterschoolnetwork.com/afterschool-policy/

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