Walsh Supports Legislative Initiative to Make Childcare More Affordable in PA

June 3, 2026

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jamie Walsh (R-Luzerne) is a co-sponsor of a legislative package designed to address the childcare crisis in Pennsylvania.

“Simply put, childcare has become unaffordable for most Pennsylvania families,” said Walsh. “As a father and as a member of the House Children and Youth Committee, I understand both the need for childcare and the stress of finding and paying for care. This legislative package provides a multi-pronged approach that is a definite step in the right direction.”

Walsh noted that two kids in childcare in Pennsylvania costs more than one year of in-state college tuition. Part of what is driving up these costs is the onerous regulations childcare providers and facilities must deal with.

According to a 2026 Archbridge Institute study, Pennsylvania is the third most regulated state in the nation for childcare.

“Our first priority is always the safety of our children,” said Walsh. “However, we need to strike an appropriate balance before excessive regulatory burdens drive PA childcare facilities out of business due to the high costs to operate.”

Legislation in the package would seek to do the following:

• Establish a state-funded grant program for start-up childcare providers.
• Establish a state-funded low-interest/forgivable loan program for expansion of childcare facilities.
• Create uniformity on requirements for van or bus drivers for childcare providers.
• Require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to accept electronic signatures from parents on all mandatory enrollment and health documents in any generally accepted electronic format the provider uses.
• Define the necessary requirements for water safety and adjust some of the burdens related to additional staffing at water activities.
• Exempt programs that are part-day, instruction only, in nonpublic, private or parochial/religious nursery schools from certain DHS licensing requirements.
• Conduct a comprehensive study of all childcare regulations in the Human Services Code and make recommendations for reducing burdensome and redundant regulations.
• Prioritize experience by modifying the educational qualifications, professional development, and ongoing credentialing needed for all staff; shifting focus to relevant skills, equivalent work experience, on-the-job experience and revising the continuing education requirements.
• Define the qualifications for a volunteer, to include a requirement that the DHS accept PA Department of Education clearances from educators.
• Create an exception for providers who provide school-age childcare on school property in a before/after school program.
• Create statutory guidelines for training and consistency among DHS licensing inspectors.
• Create guidelines for DHS licensing inspection requirements.
• Establish a formula for the issuance and length of provisional licenses.
• Create a public board for the Office of Child Development and Early Learning made up of providers and parents from each Early Learning Resource Center region across the state.

The bills will be introduced in the coming weeks and assigned to committees for consideration.

Representative Jamie Walsh
117th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepWalsh.com / Facebook.com/RepJamieWalsh