House joint resolution NO. 31

INTRODUCED BY J. Carlson

By Request of the ****

A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study TO address the lack of day care availability, diversity, and choice throughout the many different regions of montana and to propose improvements to increase access to day care and promote the provision of day care in montana; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 69th legislature.

WHEREAS, barriers exist to providing and accessing day care; and

WHEREAS, it is increasingly expensive and rare to find suitable day care placements for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children in communities throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, the 51st Montana Legislature intended to increase access to diverse, adequate, affordable day care with the Montana Child Care Act of 1989; and

WHEREAS, we are not achieving the goals of the Montana Child Care Act; and

WHEREAS, this has increased the cost of care for Montana families and to the state.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Legislative Council be requested to designate the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee to investigate barriers to providing and accessing day care in the state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the interim committee:

(1)        consider the experiences and challenges of parents related to finding appropriate, affordable day care in their communities, including:

(a)        availability;

(b)        quality and safety; and

(c)        affordability;

(2)        consider the experiences and challenges of day care providers in complying with related administrative rules and state laws, including:

(a)        licensing, such as ease of licensing procedures;

(b)        regulation and compliance;

(c)        accessibility;

(d)        liability; and

(e)        policies that restrict expansion;

(3)        compare the day care laws and rules of our neighboring states to see where modern improvements can be made to Montana's policies;

(4)        consider data and reports from the Legislative Audit Division regarding:

(a)        registration and licensing rules promulgation and enforcement; and

(b)        other pertinent information pertaining to barriers to providing and accessing day care;

(5)        recommend changes to day care laws, including through legislation, to increase access and provision of legal day care options for Montana families; and

(6)        recommend changes to day care-related administrative rules that will bring the rules into compliance with state laws and remove barriers to providing and accessing day care.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2024.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 69th Legislature.