To amend section 5104.54 of the Revised Code to modify Ohio's child care cost-sharing program and to name this act the Fair Tri-Share Child Care Program Act.
Summary
HB777 would revise Ohio’s existing child care cost-sharing program, known as the tri-share child care credit program, and rename the act the Fair Tri-Share Child Care Program Act. The bill keeps the basic structure of the program in which child care costs are shared among the employee, the employer, and the Department of Children and Youth, but it changes the cost split to 40% for the employee, 40% for the employer, and 20% for the department, subject to available funds. It also states that the employer may choose to cover some or all of the employee’s share.
The bill would make several eligibility and administration changes. It would allow participation by employees with family income up to 450% of the federal poverty line, require the employee and employer to be Ohio-based and selected for participation, and permit child care providers that are either licensed or county-certified. It also removes any requirement that providers participate in Step Up To Quality to qualify for the program, and it directs the department to handle applications, eligibility determinations, and payments to providers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027, and repeals the current version of section 5104.54.
Impact
HB777 would amend section 5104.54 of the Revised Code and replace the current tri-share child care credit framework with a revised cost-sharing and eligibility structure. It would affect participating employees, employers, child care providers, and the Department of Children and Youth by changing who can qualify, how costs are divided, and how the program is administered. The bill also gives priority funding treatment to employees of small businesses, especially those with fewer than 50 employees, and exempts certain rules adopted under the bill from regulatory restriction review provisions.
Sentiment
Because the bill was only introduced and has no recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, there is no direct evidence of legislative support or opposition in the record here. The bill’s title and structure suggest a generally pro-family, pro-workforce, and pro-child-care-provider approach, aiming to make child care more affordable while helping employers recruit and retain workers. The absence of hearings or votes means sentiment must be inferred from the bill’s policy goals rather than from expressed legislative debate.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the funding commitment, the eligibility rules, and the provider requirements. Critics could question whether the Department’s 20% share is sustainable because it is expressly limited by available funds, and whether prioritizing small businesses is fair or administratively workable. Another likely issue is the bill’s removal of any Step Up To Quality participation requirement for providers, which could draw concern from those who favor higher quality standards, while supporters may view that change as expanding access and reducing barriers for providers. The income cap and the employer-selection requirement may also be debated as to whether they target assistance effectively.
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