Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 117 and House Bill 4903 into law at the Texas Capitol, aiming to improve childcare regulations and early learning programs across the state.
“These bipartisan laws are our state’s next step towards establishing affordable, quality childcare for Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “By removing barriers and streamlining regulations, we will improve childcare availability and expand access for Texas parents.”
The signing ceremony included Senator Brian Birdwell, Senator Donna Campbell, Representative Brad Buckley, Representative Angie Chen Button, Representative Caroline Harris-Davila, as well as other advocates for childcare.
House Bill 117 establishes the Governor’s Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood Education and Care. The task force is tasked with identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in how childcare and early learning programs are managed by state agencies in Texas.
House Bill 4903 creates the Quad-Agency Childcare Initiative Commission. This commission will coordinate among four agencies—the Department of Family and Protective Services, Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission—to streamline child care regulations statewide.
