PENNSYLVANIA — State Reps. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, and Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, are celebrating this week’s passage of their legislation to help Pennsylvanians deal with the rising costs of childcare (H.B. 1259).
The bill, introduced by Davis and Shusterman, passed the House with bipartisan support on Monday and will head to the Senate for further consideration.
The lawmakers said H.B. 1259 would help families ease the burden of childcare costs through an expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Program, providing a stepped, yearly increase to the tax credit eligible individuals can claim.
“With return-to-work policies in full swing, families are once again faced with steep childcare costs and difficult decisions,” Davis said. “This bill would provide a much-needed tax break to families throughout the Commonwealth. Our children deserve exceptional childcare, and parents should be able to provide it without worrying about breaking the bank.”
Shusterman echoed Davis’ comments.
“Here in the commonwealth, childcare for one child averages nearly $12,000 a year,” Shusterman said. “The hardworking parents of Pennsylvania do not deserve to be priced out of childcare and in turn, being denied the opportunity to work year-round.
“The proposed legislation from Representative Tina Davis and myself will build off of the childcare tax credit that was passed as part of last year’s budget. By increasing this credit incrementally, we can ensure that credit keeps up with the rising costs over time.”
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