Senate leaders applaud progress on early education and care legislation
Calls for action to lower costs for Massachusetts families and strengthen education for young learners
BOSTON (2/7/2024)—Today, the Joint Committee on Education gave favorable approval to comprehensive early education and care legislation—S.301—which would make high-quality early education and care more affordable for families, strengthen early education providers, improve compensation and professional development for the early education workforce, and address the workforce needs of Massachusetts employers.
Committee approval comes following a public hearing of the Joint Committee in the in the fall that included testimony from a broad swath of supporters.
“This legislation will increase access to affordable child care for parents in every region of our Commonwealth by supporting families, providers, and educators,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our state's families face child care bills that are higher than the cost of in-state college tuition, and that are often so high that they force one parent to drop out of the workforce. If we are serious about solving our labor shortage, supporting families, and getting new parents back into the workforce, we must act to lower the cost of child care. I'm thankful to Senator Lewis for his leadership on this bill, and I look forward to seeing it continue to progress.”
“Expanding access to high-quality, affordable early education and care is essential for the healthy development of young children, as well as for the economic wellbeing of working families and employers in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I greatly appreciate the partnership in this work of House Chair Rep. Denise Garlick, the tireless advocacy of the Common Start coalition, and the bold leadership of Senate President Spilka.”
The bill is similar to the bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate in 2022 that drew from recommendations made by the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission and that was aimed at transforming the early education and care system in Massachusetts.
The bill now heads to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means for further analysis and engagement.
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The Massachusetts Senate’s Leadership on Education in the Commonwealth
The Senate has been a leader in making education more affordable, accessible, and equitable at all levels. In 2019, the chamber passed the Student Opportunity Act, which made unprecedented investments in K-12 education. At the beginning of this session, Senate President Spilka announced a commitment to a Student Opportunity Plan that would raise educational outcomes at all levels—from our youngest learners to adults reengaging in the education system. During the session, the Senate has led efforts to increase financial assistance to students at public colleges and lay the groundwork for universal free community college by making community college free for students 25 and over and all nursing students.