Swain, Mosquera & Taliaferro Bill Appropriating Funds to Support NJ Child Care Providers Now Law

(TRENTON) – With countless child care centers encountering financial challenges as a result of the ongoing public health emergency, a bill sponsored by three Assembly Democrats to provide support to the child care industry was signed into law Tuesday.

Subject to the availability of federal funds, $10 million in funds that New Jersey was given access to because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be made available to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support child care providers in need of assistance due to the public health emergency.

Upon the bill (A-5445) becoming law, Assembly sponsors Lisa Swain (D-Bergen, Passaic), Gabriela Mosquera (D-Camden, Gloucester) and Adam Taliaferro (D-Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem) issued the following joint statement:

“So many child care centers have already closed while many others are struggling to stay in business because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Necessary yet expensive safety measures such as reduced class sizes, personal protective equipment purchases and building ventilation upgrades have taken a significant toll on the child care industry.

“Over the past year, women in particular have borne the brunt of the consequences of a lack of access to child care services. The parents in our state both require and deserve affordable, accessible child care. Providing financial support to child care providers in need will help ensure these critical services are available to them.”