“Just as the Senate led on transforming the Commonwealth’s K-12 education system through the Student Opportunity Act, today’s bill would similarly transform the early education system,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Unfortunately, high-quality early education remains out of reach for most Massachusetts families, and our providers struggle to keep their doors open. This bill will address those issues and make our Commonwealth stronger by making early education more affordable, investing in our early educators, and ensuring the sustainability of our providers.”

“With this bill, we are creating a framework to support the early education and care sector; making clear that the Senate understands the vital importance of early childhood to our economic recovery and to the health and wellbeing of Massachusetts families,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I am proud of this bill and the work that has gone into it. I thank the Senate President for her leadership in prioritizing this issue, and I want thank Senator Lewis for thoughtfully and collaboratively putting this important legislation together.”

“There are numerous benefits from expanding access to high-quality, affordable early education and child care: it enhances the cognitive and social emotional development of young children; it enables parents to work and improves families’ economic well-being; and it helps employers that are struggling with a workforce shortage,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “This legislation makes major strides in improving affordability and accessibility of care for families, stabilizing early education providers which will improve program quality and expand capacity, and supporting the early educator workforce, many of whom are women of color.”

“This issue has been a top priority of mine for many years, and I am thrilled to pass this transformative piece of legislation alongside my Senate colleagues,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate and a member of the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission. “As a father of two children, I know that affordable and quality early education and care is indispensable for families and their economic security. This bill will increase childcare access and help thousands of families obtain care at lower costs. Just as importantly, these investments will provide support to childcare providers and ensure people working in this field can earn a living wage, acquire higher education, and support their own families.”

“Through my work as Co-Chair of the Future of Work Commission, it was clear from our findings that there are deep-rooted problems in our childcare system. As a parent of three, I know that high-quality childcare is hard to come by. We have the power to make childcare more accessible and affordable to our families if we invest in our early education and childcare systems, and that’s exactly what this bill does,” stated Senator Eric P. Lesser, a member of the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission.

“This is an investment in the economy, jobs and small businesses. Importantly, with women still largely responsible for juggling childcare with their education and careers, it is the single largest economic measure that will provide women opportunities for equality and success moving forward!” said Senator Susan L. Moran (D-Falmouth), a member of the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission.

“High-quality, accessible early education and childcare benefits our children, families, and employers,” said State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth), a member of the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission. “The provisions included in the legislation we passed today builds on our efforts to improve affordability for families, support the care provider workforce, and expand the talent pipeline moving forward.”

— “State Senate Passes Transformational Bill to Expand Access to High-Quality Affordable, Early Education and Care,” Senate President Karen E. Spilka, July 7, 2022