The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR) – Governor Glenn Youngkin signed ten bipartisan bills, marking a pivotal milestone for Building Blocks for Virginia Families, an initiative designed to expand available child care options and empower working families across the Commonwealth by ensuring parents have the support they need to thrive in today’s workforce. This historic moment for Virginia families took place at Anthony Seeger Hall at James Madison University, home to the JMU Young Children’s Program, an early learning center that serves children ages two to five years.
“We are sending a clear signal that Virginia is committed to ensuring a quality education for our children, empowering working moms and dads, and embracing participation — the foundational building blocks for not just family, but also for opportunity,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “With Building Blocks for Virginia Families, we are taking concrete steps to unleash opportunity across the Commonwealth, and make Virginia the very best place to live, work, and raise a family.”
“The historic investments made in innovative approaches through the Building Blocks initiative further strengthens Virginia’s best in class early childhood education system,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “More children will be served by high quality early care, more parents will be able to work, and more employers will be able to grow thanks to this bipartisan investment. When our children thrive, Virginia thrives.”
Governor Youngkin signed the following bills:
HB 1024, patroned by Delegate Tony Wilt, requires the Department of Education to review its Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff course to ensure it aligns with the age group requirements.
HB 739, patroned by Delegate Briana Sewell and chief co-patroned by Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata, and SB 702, patroned by Senator Suhas Subramanyam and chief co-patroned by Senator Tara Durant, exempts child day programs located on a military base, federal property, or certified by the US Armed Forces a from state licensure, removing unnecessary licensure requirements for qualified programs.
HB 419, patroned by Delegate David Bulova and chief co-patroned by Delegate Debra Gardner, and SB 54, patroned by Senator Mamie Locke, ensures continuity in early childhood care and education services by aligning the number of available slots to projected growth and parent demand,
HB 1277, patroned by Delegate Amy Laufer and chief co-patroned by Delegate Carrie Coyner, expedites staffing and volunteers in certain childcare settings provided that a fingerprint-based background check is in place and the individuals will be supervised.
HB 281, patroned by Delegate Atoosa Reaser and chief co-patroned by Delegate Shelly Simonds, and SB 13, patroned by Senator Barbara Favola, allows localities, to waive zoning permit requirements for child day program in office buildings, if the facility meets state licensure requirements.
HB 508, patroned by Delegate Laura Cohen, allows the Department of Education to certify that individuals and staff of child day programs have passed background checks and are eligible to work or volunteer, streamlining staffing among child day programs while providing proper protections for children.
HB 407, patroned by Delegate Phil Hernandez, streamlines access to childcare assistance by automatically qualifying Medicaid or WIC recipients, cutting red tape for families in need.
