Nikita Biryukov | June 7, 2022 | NJ Monitor |
Lawmakers on the Senate Health Committee on Monday unanimously approved bills that would establish tax credits for child care, extend child care subsidies to more families, and establish grant programs to boost enrollment in early childhood education.
The moves come as New Jersey continues to struggle amid a shortage of child care workers and as its economy moves toward a post-pandemic correction still hampered by a dearth of affordable child care.
“As we face worker shortages across industries, reducing the cost of child care will allow more parents to return to the workforce at a time when we need it most,” said Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), the chamber’s majority leader and sponsor of the bill package. “This multipronged approach works to tackle this issue from every angle to ensure the maximum impact on our economy and our children.”
Each of the bills must still clear committee votes in the Assembly.
One proposal would give workers at licensed child care centers and individuals registered as day care providers gross income tax credits of between $500 and $1,500, depending on the filer’s income and the age of the children they oversee.
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