New Futures | Improving Access to Child Care

Child care is an economic challenge holding New Hampshire back. Across our state, families struggle to find quality, affordable care for their children. This limits their ability to work, advance their careers, and contribute fully to their communities. Businesses face workforce shortages when employees can't access reliable care. Our state's economy depends on working parents, yet too many face impossible choices between their jobs and caring for their children. This is an economic development priority that affects employers, communities, and New Hampshire's competitive advantage.

House Bills 1195 and 1433 aim to expand access to quality child care through business-first solutions.

Take Action

Sign in to Support HB 1195 (by midnight on 2/10)

Virtually sign in to the public hearing to show your support for HB 1195:

Go to the House Sign In Form on the GenCourt website.
Fill in your personal information.
Select the date: February 10
Select the committee: House Municipal and County Government
Choose the bill number: HB 1195
Select "I am: A member of the public" unless one of the other labels is appropriate to you.
Fill in "I'm Representing: Myself" unless you are approved to represent another entity (i.e. your workplace or an organization).
Select "I SUPPORT this bill."
Upload or write your written testimony (this step is optional; please note your testimony becomes immediately visible on the website to anyone).
Click "Submit."

Email Your State Representative(s)

Share Your Story

How Does Child Care Impact You?

Child care challenges affect families, employers, and communities across New Hampshire. Your story can help lawmakers understand the real impact of our state's child care shortage and the urgent need for solutions.

We want to hear from you if:

•You've struggled to find affordable, quality child care for your children
•You've had to make difficult choices between work and caring for your family
•You've turned down a job opportunity or promotion because child care wasn't available
•You're a business owner or manager who has lost employees or struggled to recruit workers due to child care issues
•You've seen how lack of child care affects your workplace, your community, or your family's economic security

Please share a brief description of your situation and how child care challenges have affected you, and the impact on your family, your career, or your business.

Spread the Word: Fact Sheet

COMING SOON

Download the PDF

Need help? Contact Lauren Martin (Community Engagement Coordinator) for help taking action or Trina Ingelfinger (Early Care and Education Policy Director) with policy questions.

About the Bills

New Hampshire is taking action:

House Bill 1195 removes unnecessary zoning barriers that prevent child care providers from operating in certain neighborhoods, allowing more providers to enter the market and expand care options in communities across the state.
House Bill 1433 incentivizes businesses to create or expand child care programs through a tax credit covering 50% of eligible expenses, enabling employers to address workforce challenges while expanding access to quality care for working families.

WATCH: How Affordable Child Care is Transforming NH Families

Bill Status

HB 1195 - Public Hearing 2/10

HB 1195

February 10: The House Municipal and County Government Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 10 at 10:30 am at Granite Place in room 154.