SACRAMENTO – AB 2292, authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D – Winters), passed on the Assembly floor last week with overwhelming bipartisan support on a 78-0 vote.

This bill is a California Legislative Women’s Caucus priority for the year, and the only state budget request the Caucus is backing.

AB 2292 expands our state’s capacity for child care by increasing the reimbursement rates for infant and toddler care, creating an inclusive grant program to help pay for new and renovated child care facilities, and establishing a fund to recruit a new generation of providers.

“Investing in infant and toddler care is proven to work on so many levels, fostering childhood development, helping parents find or keep jobs or receive job training, and actually saving State resources in the short and long term. We must not miss the opportunity to improve outcomes for kids and families, and to allow parents to trust that their children are in good hands,” said Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry.

The state’s current reimbursement rates to infant and toddler child care providers are exceptionally low and inadequate for the high standard of care required for children ages zero to three. This bill will address this problem by increasing the level of funding available to provide an increased number of childcare professionals with the resources they need.

Further, AB 2292 will create a new grant program to help cover the start-up costs for new child care facilities, as well as converting existing facilities to serve this younger age group. This bill will also expand the “Family Child Care Recruitment and Training Fund,” dedicating $6 million dollars over the next 5 years to recruit new infant and toddler child care providers and encourage the growth of new small businesses and professionals in this field.

AB 2292 is sponsored by First Five California, the Child Care Development Administrators Association, and the Child Care Resource Center.

It enjoys support from 70-plus organizations and is co-authored by Assemblymembers Autumn Burke (D-Marina del Rey), Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona), Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Orange County), Blanca E. Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), Marie Waldron (R-Escondido), and Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino).

“As the chair for the Human Services Committee, I am a proud co-author to AB 2292. At the rate child care costs in our state continue to rise, we are placing families in difficult situations where sometimes they have to choose between promotions and having access to affordable childcare. By expanding access to care for infants and toddlers we will be providing, some much needed relief to many families in our state,” said Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio (D-Baldwin Park)

“Hard working Californian families benefit greatly from child care but unfortunately there is a lack of quality child care slots. It is imperative that the State do all the it can to help families achieve a higher quality of life,” said Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Escondido)

AB 2292 now moves to the Senate, where it will be evaluated and voted on based on its policy impacts.

Aguiar-Curry represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake and Napa Counties, all of Yolo County except West Sacramento, and parts of Colusa County, Solano County, and Sonoma County. www.asm.ca.gov/aguiar-curry.