Rep. Brennan Calls for Legislative Fix to Harmful, Last-Minute Childcare Budget Changes

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today is calling for urgent legislative action to reverse recent budget provisions in House Bill (HB) 96 that threaten the viability of small childcare providers and the families they serve.

At Monday’s meeting of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), dozens of childcare providers and advocates sounded the alarm over two new Department of Children & Youth rules—5180:6-1-06 and 5180:6-1-10—that stem from eleventh-hour budget language inserted into HB 96. The rules dramatically reduce reimbursement rates for home-based Type A childcare providers and alter the pay scale for part-time versus full-time care, changes that advocates warn could drive many small centers out of business.

Rep. Brennan said these provisions exemplify the dangers of adding unrelated policy items into the state budget at the last minute—without public input or adequate review.

“This is another example of when things get stuffed into the budget in the middle of the night,” said Rep. Brennan. “You’re going to have people that don’t want to take on more kids now, and that means parents could lose access to care—or even lose their jobs. This really impacts working families who are already on the edge in Ohio.”

Rep. Brennan emphasized that childcare access is not just a family issue but an economic one, affecting workforce participation and community stability.         

“When providers close their doors, families lose the ability to work. These are the kinds of shortsighted decisions that ripple through our economy. We should be strengthening childcare access—not undermining it,” continued Rep. Brennan. “My goal is to introduce corrective language or attach it to a moving bill to ensure these harmful changes are reversed before more damage is done. This is about doing what’s right for Ohio’s families and small business owners.”

The rules in question are set to take effect in November, leaving little time for legislative correction. Rep. Brennan encourages providers and parents affected by the change to contact his office to share how the cuts could impact their businesses and families.