(New Title) repealing the requirement that the department of health and human services' biennial budget request include funding for certain child care workforce programs.
Summary
HB 1515 repeals a 2025 appropriation that had funded grants through the Department of Health and Human Services for New Hampshire child care employers. The bill removes the statutory authority for the department to provide recruitment, retention, and benefit grants to child care providers, and it also repeals the related budget provision that required funding for certain child care workforce programs in the department’s biennial budget request.
In practical terms, the bill would eliminate the state’s child care grant program created in the prior budget act. The fiscal note says the repeal is expected to have no fiscal impact because the underlying funding source was federal TANF reserve money that the federal government has since indicated cannot be used for this purpose. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
Impact
HB 1515 would amend state law by repealing Chapter 141:431, Laws of 2025, which had appropriated $7.5 million per year in the FY 2026-2027 biennium for child care provider grants. As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services would no longer have authority under that provision to distribute recruitment, retention, or benefit grants to eligible child care employers, and the related budget-request requirement for child care workforce funding would be removed. The bill is expected to have no direct budgetary effect because the federal TANF funding source is unavailable for this use.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill drew mixed but substantial support, passing an OTPA vote 170-152. The fiscal note frames the repeal as largely technical and non-fiscal because the funding mechanism was already determined to be unusable. Overall, the discussion context indicates the bill was treated as a response to federal funding constraints rather than a new policy expansion or reduction in state spending.
Contention
The main point of contention is the policy choice to repeal a child care workforce funding program that had been enacted only the prior year. Supporters likely view the repeal as necessary because federal TANF funds cannot legally be used for the grants, making the program unworkable as written. Opponents are likely concerned about eliminating support for child care employers and the broader child care workforce, including recruitment and retention assistance for providers facing staffing shortages. The split vote suggests disagreement over whether the state should preserve, replace, or remove the program despite the federal funding issue.
Directing the dissolution of the department of health and human services' office of health equity, department of environmental services' functions for civil rights and environmental justice, and the governor's council on diversity and inclusion.
Relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care.
Establishing the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) prevention and treatment program and making an appropriation to the department of health and human services for this purpose.