Employers for Childcare Task Force Celebrates Legislative Wins

Employers for Childcare Task Force Celebrates Legislative Wins and New Opportunities to Strengthen Texas' Workforce Lawmakers advance bipartisan legislation to tackle childcare challenges across the state AUSTIN, TX (June 9, 2025) - The Employers for Childcare Task Force is recognizing the 89th Legislative Session as a pivotal step toward addressing Texas' growing childcare crisis. Lawmakers passed nearly every recommendation from the task force's policy blueprint it released in 2024, including key priorities that expand access, strengthen the childcare workforce and support working families statewide. "Employers from across the state created a blueprint focused on immediate tools and long-term reforms to expand working families' access to quality, affordable childcare," Kelsey Erickson Streufert, chief public affairs officer at the Texas Restaurant Association, said. "This session, lawmakers delivered on each recommendation and made a historic investment in childcare for working families-proof that real progress happens when business and government work together. The childcare crisis wasn't created overnight, and it won't be solved in one session. But this was a critical step forward, and we'll keep pushing for solutions to strengthen families and our economy." Six E4C-endorsed policies passed during the session, each with bipartisan support and statewide business backing: SB 1265 - Establishes a free online resource hub at the Texas Workforce Commission to help employers connect their workforce with childcare supports. This will be especially beneficial for Texas' more than 3.3 million small businesses.HB 4903 - Improves coordination between state agencies and streamlines conflicting childcare regulations to help providers offer affordable, safe care. HB 3963 - Enhances cross-agency data sharing to improve outcomes while protecting privacy and security. SB 462 - Shores up childcare capacity for all working families by creating a priority category for childcare workers to access childcare scholarships for their own children without waiting for months or years on a waitlist. SB 599 - Preempts duplicative local regulation of home-based childcare providers already licensed by the state. These providers are critical in addressing the non-traditional hours care gap. HB 117 - Forms the Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood Governance to explore long-term structural improvements to Texas' childcare system. The bipartisan attention E4C created for childcare access was also instrumental in securing a $100 million allocation in the state's budget to expand Texas' childcare scholarship program for working families. This investment marks a historic departure since the Texas Legislature has relied almost solely on federal funds for childcare support in the past. E4C was formed in late 2023 by the Texas Restaurant Association, Early Matters, Texas Association of Business and Texas 2036. The coalition now includes more than 75 business members representing every major region and industry in Texas. "We're deeply grateful to the Texas Legislature for advancing policy that supports the workforce of today and tomorrow," Wendy Uptain, executive director of Early Matters Texas, said. "Through the Employers for Childcare Task Force, business leaders came to the table as a powerful new voice for quality childcare, proving that cross-sector collaboration is key to driving lasting, meaningful change for Texas families and our economy. By working hand in hand with nonprofit and community partners across the state, we're combining private-sector leadership with sound public policy to build a future where every child has access to quality care and every parent has the support they need to succeed." Over the next two years, the state will evaluate existing childcare programs and consider additional reforms through the sunset review process. The Employers for Childcare Task Force is inviting more business leaders to join the coalition as it continues working toward systemic solutions that support families and strengthen the workforce. To learn more about the Employers for Childcare Task Force or join the coalition, visit txrestaurant.org/e4c. ABOUT EMPLOYERS FOR CHILDCARE TASK FORCE The Employers for Childcare Task Force is a non-partisan, diverse group of business leaders who are working together to develop and advocate for public policy reforms to expand working families' access to affordable, quality childcare in Texas. E4C was founded by our executive committee members-Texas Restaurant Association, Early Matters, Texas Association of Business and Texas 2036. For more information, please visit txrestaurant.org/EmployersForChildcare. ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. As a leading business association, the TRA represents the state's $106 billion restaurant industry, which encompasses upwards of 57,000 locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 87th year. For more information, please visit https://www.txrestaurant.org.