We, the undersigned, urge you to support HB 456 and HB 457, two critical bills that will strengthen Montana’s child care system, support working families, and boost our economy.

Montana’s child care workers, the backbone of our early childhood system, struggle to afford care for their children. Low wages force over 30% of them to leave the field every year, contributing to classroom closures and fewer options for families.

HB 456 automatically makes all child care workers, regardless of income, eligible for the Best Beginnings Scholarship. This helps workers afford care for their own kids and stay in the field. Other states, including North Dakota, have seen success with this approach, and Montana’s own pilot program showed it dramatically reduces worker turnover.

For Montana families, child care costs for two children can exceed $22,000 per year, forcing many parents to cut work hours or leave their jobs entirely. The result: 66,000 Montanans can’t fully participate in the workforce, 30% of businesses say lack of child care limits their growth, and 40% of employers struggle to recruit and retain workers.

HB 457 expands eligibility for the Best Beginnings Scholarship to 85% of State Median Income (SMI), helping more working families afford care so they can stay employed and contribute to our economy.

HB 456 and HB 457 help families, workers, and businesses strengthen Montana’s economy and communities. Please vote YES on HB 456 & HB 457.