Texans have told us time and again: it’s getting harder to find affordable child care. Beyond the everyday challenges this creates for families, the lack of quality child care options comes with a steep cost.
Studies estimate that Texas loses up to $11.4 billion each year in productivity and revenue due to childcare-related issues impacting parents, businesses and taxpayers.
With that in mind, the 2025 Texas Legislature made sure to tackle these urgent child care challenges and set the stage for broader reforms to strengthen access and affordability by 2027.
Addressing Immediate Child Care Challenges
Reducing Regulatory Confusion that Limits Access & Drives Costs
HB 4903 by Rep. Harris-Davila & Sen. Birdwell
Aligns agency oversight across four state agencies involved in childcare to reduce regulatory conflict and confusion for providers.
Addressing Workforce Constraints in Child Care Sector
SB 462 by Sen. Kolkhorst & Rep. Harris-Davila
Prioritizes access to existing child care subsidies to individuals who work in child care to address labor shortages for child care centers.
Increasing Child Care Subsidies
SB 1 by Sen. Huffman & Rep. Bonnen
Adds an extra $100 million in state funding to increase access to subsidized child care.
Equipping Agencies & Lawmakers for the Future
Creating Long-Term Governance Plan for Child Care
HB 117 by Rep. Schoolcraft & Sen. Campbell
Creates a Governor-led task force to seek long-term policy solutions for persistent child care challenges, including divided governance, agency accountability and inconsistent goals.
Improving Data Quality to Allow for Targeted Policy Solutions
HB 3963 by Rep. Capriglione & Sen. Paxton
Establishes the framework for inter-agency data sharing and allows the development of an interoperable data infrastructure so state leaders can better understand the challenges facing our state’s many communities.
