SB 233-CHILD CARE PROVIDER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT  3:32:08 PM CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 233 "An Act relating to the day care assistance program." 3:32:36 PM SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, District J, speaking as the sponsor of SB 233 stated there is a childcare affordability and access crisis in Alaska, which is harming the state in a variety of ways. He noted that if the department addresses the issue through regulatory change, SB 233 will not need to go through the legislative process. He paraphrased the following sponsor statement: [Original punctuation provided.] SPONSOR STATEMENT  SB 233: CHILD CARE PROVIDER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Senate Bill 233 will allow childcare workers to become licensed providers in the day care assistance program without being required to pass a high school equivalency test or gain a high school diploma. This will increase childcare availability in Alaska and provide employment opportunities, particularly for otherwise qualified refugee and immigrant communities who are ready to work and contribute in this vital industry. Alaska has a lack of childcare services and workers, which has a profound effect on the state's economy. New arrivals come to the U.S. with varying backgrounds. Some must flee at a moment's notice and don't have time to grab documents, such as diplomas. New arrivals may have spent decades in a refugee camp where education is not readily available; others may be coming from countries that lack educational systems due to political arrest. Many of these new arrivals have children. While they may not have formally participated in the field of childcare, they have the experience needed to thrive in this profession. Currently, the Childcare Assistance regulation 7 AAC 41.200 requires that Approved Relative Providers or Approved In-Home Providers must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma, general educational development (GED) diploma, or an equivalent. This provides a barrier to some individuals who are attempting to become licensed childcare providers in Alaska. SB 233 would allow more people to enter the childcare workforce who would still be subject to all other regulations and requirements of the profession. This would not only benefit immigrants and refugees, but also longtime residents who have childcare experience and do not have a high school diploma or GED. Increasing childcare in Alaska will allow more parents to return to the workforce, earn income and support the state economy. I urge you to support SB 233. 3:34:38 PM RIA SMYKE, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the sectional analysis for SB 233: [Original punctuation provided.] Sectional Analysis  SB 233: CHILD CARE PROVIDER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT "An Act relating to the day care assistance program."  Section 1: Amends AS 47.25.001: Powers and duties. Allows a person to provide childcare in the day care assistance program without passing a high school equivalency test or having a high school diploma. 3:35:05 PM SENATOR GIESSEL mentioned hearing frequently that wages for child care workers are very low, and there is a desire to raise the status of child care staff. She expressed discomfort with lowering qualifications in response to this issue. She asked whether it would be appropriate to create a structure similar to teachers and teaching assistants, where there could be a child care provider and a child care assistant category, the latter not requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. 3:36:02 PM SENATOR DUNBAR expressed agreement with the desire to raise wages for child care professionals but noted that the wage issue is somewhat distinct from the current discussion. He mentioned that testimony will be heard from representatives of Refugee Assistance Services (RAIS) ran and the Alaska Literacy Program. He emphasized that many individuals are qualified and trained to be excellent child care providers but lack government-recognized credentials. He compared this to last year's changes to commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements, where certain qualifications were waived to include capable individuals from Ukraine. He suggested exploring alternative qualification standards to allow more people to enter the child care profession while maintaining quality through other regulatory requirements. 3:37:46 PM SENATOR TOBIN acknowledged that this issue has been discussed extensively in the Child Care Task Force, where she serves. She highlighted the challenges immigrant and refugee populations face in providing in-home care and the concerns some families have about caregivers from different cultural backgrounds. She requested input from the department, noting it would likely create regulations to address the issues that SB 233 also seeks to resolve. She specifically inquired whether the department would have someone on staff and what safety nets it would put in place. 3:38:59 PM SENATOR DUNBAR agreed and stated that in-home child care is an important aspect of the conversation. He highlighted the imbalance between provider compensation and family affordability. He noted that, like other states, Alaska is realizing that direct financial support is necessary because the free market does not function effectively in this economy. He emphasized that child care is essentially infrastructure. 3:40:10 PM ROBIN DEMPSEY, CEO, Catholic Social Services, Anchorage, Alaska, said that as an agency focused on promoting stable incomes and permanent stability, CSS works closely with individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly women in the Refugee Assistance and Immigration Service (RAIS) program. She highlighted two main concerns from mothers seeking employment: the difficulty in finding childcare in Anchorage and the struggle of leaving their children with someone who does not understand their culture or speak their language. She emphasized the need for more culturally appropriate and multilingual childcare providers. MS. DEMPSEY noted that CSS works with many women who have childcare experience but are unable to apply for positions due to the GED requirement, which she argued does not measure competency or experience in childcare. The removal of this requirement, she stated, will help qualified individuals, including RAIS clients, gain employment and expand the number of childcare providers in the state. She also shared that the number of new arrivals in the RAIS program has increased by 250 percent, growing from 21 in 2021 to 582 in 2023, resettling across the state. She concluded that removing the GED requirement will create new employment opportunities and improve Alaska's childcare system. 3:42:56 PM BRIGET REYNOLDS, Program Director, Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services, Catholic Social Services, Anchorage, Alaska, strongly expressed that the GED requirement creates unnecessary obstacles for individuals with valuable childcare experience. In her role working with refugees and new arrivals in Alaska, she has witnessed hundreds of people, particularly from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, arriving in recent years. RAIS (Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services) provides these individuals with tools for self-sufficiency, including employment services aimed at helping them support their families while contributing to Alaska's economy. 3:43:52 PM MS. REYNOLDS noted that many of these individuals, especially mothers, have significant childcare experience but struggle to enter the workforce due to childcare responsibilities and a shortage of culturally appropriate daycare options. Parents are concerned about leaving their children with providers who do not speak their language or understand their culture. Anchorage urgently needs more childcare providers who are culturally sensitive and multilingual, as over 100 languages are spoken by students in the local school district. She emphasized that many RAIS clients, who are skilled, compassionate, and multilingual caregivers, face barriers to employment due to the GED requirement. Removing this requirement would allow these qualified individuals to enter the workforce, increasing the availability of childcare and meeting the community's need for culturally competent providers. 3:45:27 PM ASIA AMINI, Specialist, Refugee Education and Employment Food Services, Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services, Catholic Social Services, Anchorage, Alaska, from Afghanistan and a peer leader with the Alaska Literacy Program, testified in support of SB 233, which seeks to remove the GED requirement for child care providers. She shared that many women in her community, including herself, face challenges entering the workforce because they are at home with small children. Some day care waitlists in Alaska are one to two years long. She recounted a friend's experience, where the lack of English proficiency made it difficult to secure daycare for her child. 3:46:30 PM MS. AMINI emphasized the need for more daycare workers who speak the languages of Afghanistan but noted that the GED requirement is a significant barrier. Many Afghan women, despite having experience in raising their own children, cannot work in daycare due to the time-consuming process of obtaining a GED. She highlighted that removing this requirement would allow more women to work in daycare, which would also free other women to pursue employment. She concluded that eliminating the GED requirement would help Afghan women and others from various countries overcome this barrier. 3:47:43 PM LORI PICKETT, Executive Director, Alaska Literacy Program, Anchorage, Alaska, described SB 233 as a crucial step toward removing the barrier that requires child care providers to have a GED or high school diploma in order to participate in the child care assistance program. She explained that the Alaska Literacy Program provides education and job training to adult learners, helping them acquire a GED, assist their children in school, access health care, and navigate their new country. Last year, the program served 892 students from 72 countries who spoke 56 languages, with a projection to serve over 1,000 students this year. Many of these students have fled war and unrest, which has prevented them from completing formal education or accessing high school records. 3:48:45 PM MS. PICKETT emphasized the statewide workforce gap caused by a lack of childcare and stressed that removing barriers for both workers and providers is in the public's best interest. The GED requirement, she argued, does not reflect a person's ability to provide child care and hinders immigrants from contributing fully to society. Many immigrants, who come from cultures that value family and community, bring strong work ethics and nurturing instincts, making them ideal candidates for the child care workforce. She urged support for SB 233, noting that removing unnecessary barriers will allow immigrants to fill workforce gaps and contribute to Alaska's economic growth. 3:50:31 PM CHAIR WILSON opened public testimony on SB 233; finding none, he closed public testimony. 3:51:32 PM HILARY PORTER, Deputy Director, Division of Public Assistance, Department of Health, Juneau, Alaska, introduced herself and offered to answer questions. 3:51:42 PM SENATOR DUNBAR stated that he had discussions with the department and noted that a regulatory change is planned, which will hopefully resolve the issue. He asked for a brief description of the planned change. MS. PORTER confirmed that the department is moving forward with a drafted regulation change to remove the GED requirement. She stated that the draft has been submitted and is currently under review. This barrier was identified through the work of the Task Force. 3:52:23 PM CHAIR WILSON asked what task force. MS. PORTER replied that she was referring to the Governor's Task Force on Child Care. SENATOR DUNBAR expressed satisfaction with the answer and inquired about the department's efforts to improve the status of child care and maintain its quality while removing barriers, such as the GED requirement. 3:53:01 PM MS. PORTER acknowledged that there have been many discussions about wages for child care workers through the Governor's Task Force on Child Care. She noted that the department is reviewing those comments and considering options but could not provide further details at this time. However, she assured that the department is aware of the issue and is exploring ways to improve it. 3:53:31 PM SENATOR TOBIN asked what additional safeguards and components the department is putting in place to reassure the public that the child care system will remain safe and well-regulated, ensuring providers continue to protect vulnerable Alaskans as the GED requirement is removed. MS. PORTER emphasized that quality remains a major focus in child care, including the qualifications of workers. She mentioned that there is training available through organizations like Thread, a statewide child care resource and referral network. Programs such as Seed and Roots recognize child care workers for their training achievements, whether through the university, Thread, or Learn and Grow, another organization. Although she did not recall all the specific training levels, she noted that there are approximately 13, and workers can progress through these levels to become highly qualified, even without a GED or high school diploma. She stressed that maintaining quality remains a requirement for both providers and workers. SENATOR TOBIN asked for examples of other qualifications a provider might need. 3:55:24 PM MS. PORTER explained that health and safety are key concerns, and background checks are a mandatory part of the department's quality initiatives. She added that child care providers are still required to obtain a business license and must be at least 18 years old to work in child care, ensuring that all providers are adults. 3:56:05 PM SENATOR GIESSEL found it helpful to learn about the available training programs and asked whether individuals are required to complete a training program. MS. PORTER replied that individuals are both encouraged and required to take training. Providers can complete basic training or pursue advanced levels to earn a certificate. While this certificate is not equivalent to a diploma or GED, it acknowledges the training and qualifications of the provider or worker. SENATOR GIESSEL asked if individuals, despite not having a GED or equivalent, will still be required to understand child safety laws, such as mandatory reporting in cases of suspected abuse. MS. PORTER confirmed that compliance is a key part of the process. Even after someone is licensed, inspections are conducted twice a yearone planned and one unplannedto ensure providers maintain quality and employ qualified individuals. If any issues arise, the department has measures to address them and work with the provider to achieve compliance. 3:57:40 PM SENATOR GIESSEL clarified that her question referred to in-home child care providers rather than child care facilities. She asked what in-home child care providers will be required to know and understand about laws, such as mandatory reporting and child safety regulations. MS. PORTER replied the requirements for licensing, mandatory reporting and safety regulations are essentially the same. 3:58:25 PM CHAIR WILSON asked if there are other regulations that the task force identified as a hindrance, such as outdoor play space and infants. 3:58:58 PM MS. PORTER replied that although there was conversation about that specific issue, no action was taken. 3:59:15 PM CHAIR WILSON asked if the only regulatory change the department is currently considering for child care providers is the removal of the high school diploma or GED requirement 3:59:39 PM MS. PORTER replied other changes are being worked on. CHAIR WILSON asked for a list to be provided to the committee. MS. PORTER confirmed that the department is working on additional changes to their licensing regulations beyond just the high school diploma or GED requirement. CHAIR WILSON asked that she provide the list of changes to the committee. MS. PORTER said she would provide more information about licensing regulation changes to the committee. 4:00:15 PM SENATOR GIESSEL stated that a regulatory package typically takes about a year to complete. She then asked about the current stage of the department's progress on GED and high school diploma regulatory change. MS. PORTER stated that the regulatory package is currently with the Department of Law. The department has requested a July 1 effective date and is hopeful it will meet that timeline. SENATOR GIESSEL asked if the public comment period has already taken place. MS. PORTER replied no, the department had not reached that phase. SENATOR GIESSEL asked when the public hearing and feedback stage will occur. 4:01:18 PM EMILY RICCI, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health (DOH), Juneau, Alaska, explained that the time required to complete the regulatory process can vary, depending on the extent of changes and the volume of public comments. She noted that the Division of Public Assistance and the Commissioner's Office are working closely with the Child Care Task Force, specifically on the regulations related to the GED requirement, which are already underway. The duration of the process depends on several factors discussed, but the department may implement additional changes aligned with the Task Force's work. She anticipated that regulatory changes will be approved and rolled out on multiple dates, depending on the progress of the Task Force. 4:02:25 PM SENATOR GIESSEL pointed out that the department has not yet held a public comment period, which will take time and require proper notice. She questioned whether the proposed July 1 effective date is realistic. MS. RICCI acknowledged that July 1 is the department's goal for the effective date. 4:03:16 PM SENATOR TOBIN commented that there was a great presentation in the Senate Education Committee on the progress of the Child Care Task Force. She suggested that it would be helpful for the current committee to hear how the Task Force's work aligns with programs like Parents as Teachers, which is part of the Department of Health. CHAIR WILSON replied that he would look into scheduling a presentation. 4:03:54 PM SENATOR DUNBAR thanked the committee for hearing SB 233, the Department for working with his office and presenting, and the testifiers for their support. He emphasized that while the bill is important, the real focus is on the change, which he believes can and will be achieved through regulation. He reiterated his gratitude to the department and clarified that he does not intend to move SB 233 forward unless the regulatory changes fall through, in which case he would bring it back next year. 4:04:31 PM CHAIR WILSON held SB 233 in committee.