Bills Pending in Legislature

Several bills pending in the California Legislature aim to encourage child-care services. Among them:

SB 1529 proposes tax credits for employers who start or aid child-care programs. Introduced by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D--Santa Barbara), the bill proposes that employers receive a 30% tax credit on start-up costs of a child-care center used primarily by dependents of their employees and a 50% tax credit for continuing contributions to child-care programs.

AB 3763 also proposes tax credits for employers helping with child care. Introduced by Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R--Simi Valley), the bill proposes a 50% tax credit for start-up costs of a child-care center used mainly by dependents of employees, but makes no provisions for credits for an employer’s continuing contributions to child-care programs.

SB 2023 would set up a revolving loan fund, appropriating $1 million annually, to make short-term loans of up to $25,000 each available to child-care facilities “for the acquisition, rehabilitation and improvement of property and for the purchase of supplies and equipment.” To qualify for the loans, recipients must agree to use the facility as a child-care center for at least seven years from the loan date and to repay the loan in full within three years of the loan date. The bill was introduced by Sen. Leroy Greene (D--Carmichael).

SB 1754, introduced by Sen. David A. Roberti (D--Los Angeles), would make it possible for communities to obtain an immediate waiver on the original latchkey provision that at least 50% of children in centers receiving latchkey funds must be paying full price.

AB 4131 would allow for continued child-care financing for eligible parents participating in federally funded job-training programs. It was introduced by Assemblyman Tom Bates (D--Oakland).

AB 3696, also introduced by Assemblyman Bates, would increase funds for child-care programs.

AB 3554, sponsored by Assembly Dan Hauser (D-Santa Rosa), would set up a state liability insurance fund as a five-year pilot program. The fund could insure child care centers run by school districts or local governments.