Bill Text: WV HCR99 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study childcare in the state of West Virginia
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 14-6)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-04-08 - To Rules [HCR99 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2021-HCR99-Introduced.html
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Number 99
( Pack, J. Barach, Barnhart, Bates, Dean, Ferrell, Fleischauer, Forsht, Griffith, Jeffries, D., Mallow, Miller, Pack L., Pushkin, Reed, Rohrbach, Rowan, Summers, Ward, G., Walker)
[April 5, 2021]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study childcare in the state of West Virginia, specifically looking to examine the costs and availability of childcare across the state.
Whereas, Childcare is defined as the care and supervision of a child or children; and
Whereas, West Virginia is ranked 48th in the nation for economic stability and 38th in the cost of childcare; and
Whereas, The median household income for a family of four in West Virginia is $44,061 per year and the average cost of childcare is $8,736, equating to almost 20% of the median income; and
Whereas, West Virginia’s average full-time minimum wage salary is $18,200 per year and infant care costs as a share of minimum wage earnings is 48%; and
Whereas, There are six childcare resource facilities across the state that cover all fifty-five counties; and
Whereas, These facilities offer childcare assistance that have different income caps depending on location and family size; and
Whereas, Families who meet the income guidelines for assistance only pay a portion, if any, of the childcare tuition costs based on their income and family size; and
Whereas, Childcare availability in rural areas across West Virginia is less accessible than in more urban areas; and
Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted childcare in the state of West Virginia; and
Whereas, Temporary closures due to COVID-19 exposure at open childcare centers have become a burden on the finances and wellbeing of childcare centers and parents/guardians alike; and
Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shortage of childcare workers, forcing childcare centers to accept less children in order to maintain teacher to student licensing ratios; and
Whereas, With childcare centers now acting as virtual schooling hubs, the increased enrollment of school age children has caused even more stress on childcare worker shortages; and
Whereas, Childcare center employees are requesting hire wages and benefits to offset the risks of working during a public health crisis; and
Whereas, Childcare centers have struggled with increased health crisis related costs to run their businesses including purchasing personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, and costly technological upgrades to accommodate children completing virtual schooling via the internet; and
Whereas, The overall ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic will certainly exacerbate the already existing childcare woes facing the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study childcare in the state of West Virginia, specifically looking to examine the costs and availability of childcare across the state; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report back its findings to the full legislature by the first day of the 2022 Regular Session; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
