LANSING, Mich. (March 24, 2026) — Today, the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee passed Senate Bills 310–313, legislation championed by Senate Democrats to address the high child care costs facing Michigan parents and better support child care providers.
“From child care to the grocery store, rising costs are making it increasingly challenging for families to make ends meet,” said Sen. Mallory McMorrow, sponsor of Senate Bill 310. “As a mom of a young daughter myself, I understand the stress parents feel in trying to balance work and caring for your little ones all while desperately searching for any time to take care of yourself. That’s why this bill package is so crucial. By reforming our systems to make it easier to start and raise a family need, we can help families worry less so they can focus on what matters most: spending time with their little ones.”
“When families are being forced out of the workforce due to the inaccessibility of child care, it’s clear that there’s a crisis. The child care system needs reform now, before our people, our communities, and our economy suffer even more consequences,” said Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), sponsor of Senate Bill 311. “This package tackles the crisis from both the demand and supply side, and it plans for our future; by tying the Child Care Reimbursement Rate to inflation, we provide certainty and consistency to providers going forward.”
The bills would make child care more affordable for families and more sustainable for child care professionals and entrepreneurs by:
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Codifying the innovative bipartisan program, Tri-Share, that splits the cost of child care equally among employers, the state, and employees;
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Tying the Child Care Reimbursement Rate to inflation to provide certainty and consistency to providers; and
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Updating licensing requirements for child care centers and removing burdensome barriers to opening and operating centers.
“Increasing avenues for child care here in our state will alleviate concerns — and costs — for hardworking parents. Supporting programming that ensures the safety of our kids is a major win for Michigan families,” said Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), sponsor of Senate Bill 312. “Child care providers here in our state set children up for success so parents can maintain their careers and provide for their loved ones. I am thrilled to see this legislation take a step closer to the finish line.”
“The astronomical cost of child care, coupled with the hoops and hurdles providers must jump through to stay open, continues to fuel a crisis that impacts our families, workforce, and broader state economy,” said Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), sponsor of Senate Bill 313. “By cutting some of the costs and red tape facing providers, we can start to address the child care deserts that exist throughout the state, especially in our rural communities. I’m happy to see this bill package advance in the legislature and am continuing to work on additional ways my Senate colleagues and I can lower costs for Michigan families.”
These bills now head to the full Senate floor for consideration.