Williams Introduces Legislation to Expand Access to Early Childhood Education Programs

State Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) recently introduced a new piece of legislation aimed at broadening access to early childhood education programs for families across Ohio.

“Many Ohio families with young children may qualify for early childhood education programs but never learn about them or struggle to navigate a complicated application process. This bill creates a clearer path by helping parents identify available services, connect with providers, and apply through one statewide portal,” said Rep. Williams. “The first five years of a child’s life are critical to their development. We should make it easier for Ohio families to access support they may already be eligible to receive. This legislation can help connect children with the resources they need to prepare for kindergarten and beyond.”

If enacted, House Bill 1028 will do the following:

• Require agencies to inform parents of children age five or younger about other early childhood assistance programs they may qualify for and help them apply.
• Establish a statewide Ohio Early Childhood Education Portal where families can enter household information once to identify eligible programs and access applications.
• Require agencies to use existing data to identify potentially eligible families and partner with community organizations to help families access services.
• Require annual reporting on program participation, funding, provider capacity, waiting lists, and barriers to enrollment, including the feasibility of voluntary universal prekindergarten for four-year-olds.
• Protect parental choice and privacy by keeping participation voluntary, requiring permission for specified assistance and information sharing, and limiting data sharing to what is necessary.

House Bill 1028 awaits a committee assignment.