A bill that could significantly impact how Maine families access and afford child care is now one step closer to becoming law.
LD 1728, “An Act to Improve Affordability, Stability and Access in the Child Care Affordability Program,” has officially passed the Maine Senate and is now on Governor Janet Mills’ desk. She has 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.
What is LD 1728?
At its core, LD 1728 is designed to make child care more affordable for families while also strengthening the overall child care system in Maine. The bill focuses on two major areas: lowering costs for families and creating more stability for child care providers.
How Could This Impact Families?
If signed into law, LD 1728 would reduce how much many families pay for child care through the state’s Child Care Affordability Program. One of the biggest changes is a reduction in copayments. Families earning up to 85% of Maine’s median income would pay no more than 7% of their household income toward child care costs. Currently, that cap is set at 10%.
The bill also allows for copayments to be reduced or fully waived for families facing the greatest barriers. This includes families with very low incomes, children in foster or kinship care, families experiencing homelessness, and families raising children with disabilities.
Together, these changes aim to make child care more financially manageable and accessible for those who need it most.
What About Child Care Providers?
LD 1728 also addresses long-standing challenges within the child care system itself. One key change would shift how providers are reimbursed for subsidized care. Instead of being paid based on daily attendance, providers would be paid based on enrollment. This creates more predictable income and reduces financial risk for providers.
The bill also allows the state to reimburse providers at rates that may be higher than what private-paying families are charged in some cases. The goal is to encourage more providers to accept families who rely on subsidies, ultimately increasing access to care across the state.
Why This Matters
Child care remains one of the biggest challenges facing Maine families. High costs and limited availability make it difficult for many parents to work, pursue education, or maintain stable routines. At the same time, providers across the state are navigating tight margins, staffing shortages, and financial uncertainty. LD 1728 attempts to address both sides of this issue, supporting families while also strengthening the system that serves them.
What Happens Next?
The bill is now awaiting a decision from Governor Janet Mills. She has 10 days to:
- Sign the bill into law
- Veto it
- Or allow it to become law without her signature
If enacted, LD 1728 could bring meaningful changes to how child care is accessed and paid for across Maine.
Final Thoughts
For many Maine families, child care isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity. This bill represents a step toward making that necessity more affordable and accessible, while also supporting the providers who make it possible. We’ll be following this closely and will share updates as soon as a decision is made.
