SB3Introduced in the Senate
Employee Child Care Assistance Program; established, reports.
Introduced by Lashrecse Aird, District 13
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Employee Child Care Assistance Program established. Establishes the Employee Child Care Assistance Program to provide matching funds in order to incentivize employers to contribute to the child care costs of their employees. The Program shall be administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. To participate in the Program, an employer shall agree to make child care contributions to the eligible mixed delivery provider on behalf of the employee or to a third-party administrator, as defined by the bill, and shall provide any other information deemed necessary by the Foundation. The bill specifies that, to the extent funds are available, the Foundation shall issue a state match to a third-party administrator. Program funds shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis; however, the bill clarifies that the Foundation is encouraged to prioritize awards to proposals involving contributions from small businesses. The bill requires the Foundation to provide an interim report to the General Assembly by September 1, 2028, and a summative report to the General Assembly by September 1, 2030, on the effectiveness and impact of the Program. This bill is identical to HB 18.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0546)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: House substitute agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A) · February 27, 2026
39
Yes
0
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100206D
Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB3)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
Incorporates SB119 (Carroll Foy)
Committee substitute printed 26107571D-S1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB3)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read second time
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Appropriations
Assigned HAPP sub: Elementary & Secondary Education
Reported from Appropriations with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26108281D-H1
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB3)
Read second time
Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar
Read third time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Passed House with substitute (94-Y 4-N 0-A)
House substitute agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB3ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB3)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 546 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0546)
Verify the information
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