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SB 243 · 2025 · Senate · Health and Human Services Committee

Child care scholarship program rules

AI-generated

relative to the child care scholarship program.

Requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to adopt administrative rules governing child care provider payments, a presumptive eligibility pilot program, and a study of the child care scholarship application process.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · May 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to adopt administrative rules regarding payments for child care providers, the child care scholarship presumptive eligibility pilot program, and the child care scholarship application process study.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Denise RicciardiRPrimeDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
  • Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDSenior Democratic Advisor
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Rep. Paige BeaucheminD

Public testimony

317 signed in online · 45 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We have many families that would benefit from the child care scholarship but they don't apply. The reasons are: 1. Its too complicated 2. Too confusing 3. Time consuming”
— alexis corson, Wolfeboro · The Wolfeboro Area Children's Centersupports
“This bill would make child care scholarship so much better for not just families but also child care providers. Please support this bill.”
— Lauren Martin, Amherstsupports
“Help with childcare will keep NH working and profitable. NH is a beautiful state. We need more younger people! Families will be happy to move to NH if they know that they can live, work, and provide decent childcare for their kids.”
— Ann Beams, Hanoversupports
“Yet another bill attacking NH families! You are putting in a Medicaid work requirement but child care is not affordable. How can parents do it all? It’s hard enough with money but never mind if you have any kind of challenging situation or a single parent.…”
— Karla Gallaway, Exeteropposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-199:00 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing
  • 2025-04-169:30 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsLOB 205-207Public hearing
  • 2025-04-309:30 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsLOB 205-207Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 3
  2. Feb 19, 2025SenHearing: 02/19/2025, Room 100, SH, 09:30 am; SC 10
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0787s, 03/13/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0787s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0787s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  6. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/27/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 14
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  8. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 11 P. 113
  9. Apr 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2025 02:00 pm LOB 205-207
  10. Apr 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/30/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  11. Apr 30, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 04/30/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  12. May 7, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  13. May 22, 2025HouseLay SB243 on Table (Rep. W. MacDonald): MA DV 277-83 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 26
  14. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.