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HB 1566 · 2026 · House · Finance Committee

Child care workforce funding repeal

AI-generated

(New Title) directing the department of health and human services to seek clarification from the Administration for Children and Families regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.

Directs the department of health and human services to seek federal clarification and a waiver regarding use of TANF reserve funds and repeals the requirement that its biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · April 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

The bill directs the department to seek clarification from the federal government regarding the use of TANF reserve funds and to request a waiver for certain uses of such funds that the federal government determines as prohibited uses. This bill also repeals the requirement that the department include funding for certain child care workforce programs in its biennial budget request.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“No later than August 1, 2026, the department of health and human services shall seek clarification from the federal Administration for Children and Families on the specific uses to which federal TANF reserve funds may be put, as well as any conditions surrounding their transfer to other funds, including the Child Care and Development Fund.”
Section 1
“Repeal. 2025, 141:431, VI, directing the department of health and human services to include the amount necessary to fully fund certain child care workforce programs in its biennial budget request, is repealed.”
Section 2
“The department shall specifically seek clarification regarding the ways in which TANF reserve funds may be used to support recruitment and retention of child care employees, including any alternatives to employment bonuses paid to providers.”
Section 1
“Within one month of receipt of the Administration's response, the department shall submit said response to the joint fiscal committee and the house and senate finance committees.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDPrimeRanking Member· Finance
  • Rep. David PaigeDRanking Member· Housing
  • Rep. Marjorie SmithDRanking Member· Judiciary
  • Rep. Alexis SimpsonDDemocratic Leader
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDRanking Member· Finance Division 3
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRVice Chair· Finance

Also: Rep. Chris MunsD, Rep. David PreeceD, Rep. Jerry StringhamD

Public testimony

388 signed in online · 34 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“We need to support this bill with the question “why” and for “ who “. It’s not about personal choice, more about supporting the “States workforce “ without gas, we can’t drive to work to support our communities and state. Without schools and childcare, we can’t work.…”
— Donna Marie Massucci Massucci, Barringtonsupports
“I support HB1566 because my daughter's amazing after school program depends on it, and I depend on them to work.”
— Caitlin DeCoster, NEWMARKETsupports
“I support this bill as an early childhood educator because supporting children, their families, and their caregivers/educators outside of the home is important. It’s that simple.”
— Kimberly Porter, Concordsupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0697h (NT)25–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-0697hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0697hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Rochefort Moved Laid on Tableadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 2, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance37:24–45:007m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III2:04:29–2:04:5324slocated in the stream transcriptDivision III Work Session
  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III3:35:02–3:38:313m 29slocated in the stream transcriptDivision III Work Session
  • Feb 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance31:18–31:4123slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0697h (NT); ==CANCELLED== Division III Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0697h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-0697h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services1:13:36–1:20:417m 5slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:14:55–1:24:169m 21slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Pending Motion Interim Study; HB 1566 was Removed from the Consent Calendar

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Finance HJ 1 P. 26
  2. Jan 26, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 01/26/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  3. Feb 2, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/02/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Feb 9, 2026HouseDivision III Work Session: 02/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  5. Feb 13, 2026HouseDivision III Work Session: 02/13/2026 09:00 am GP 230
  6. Feb 20, 2026House==CANCELLED== Division III Work Session: 02/20/2026 09:00 am GP 234
  7. Feb 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/20/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
  8. Feb 20, 2026House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0697h (NT) 02/20/2026 (Vote 25-0; CC) HC 10 P. 21
  9. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0697h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 44
  10. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0697h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 44
  11. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
  12. Mar 25, 2026SenHearing: 03/25/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:15 am; SC 11
  13. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 04/16/2026; Vote 3-2; CC; SC 14A
  14. Apr 16, 2026SenHB 1566 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  15. Apr 16, 2026SenSen. Rochefort Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  16. Apr 16, 2026SenPending Motion Interim Study; 04/16/2026; SJ 9

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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