Ruppersberger and Boxer Introduce Important Child Care Legislation

(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced important child care legislation.  In this sputtering economy, the Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2009 will help ease the financial burden on Maryland families while helping ensure high-quality, affordable child care is available.  The legislation would:

• Increase the maximum federal child care tax credit for families from $3,000 to $6,000 per child.
• Increase the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account from $5,000 to $7,500.
• Expand the tax credit from $150,000 to $225,000 for employers to construct workplace child care facilities. 
• Provide a tax credit of up to a $2,000 a year for three years for college graduates who decide to enter the child care field.  

“In this tough economic environment, a job is not a job at all if a parent can’t go to work because they can’t afford child care.  The Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2009 updates and expands the child care tax credit so parents can actually take these jobs that are being created while also providing their children with high quality care while they are at work,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). 

“In this difficult economic environment, it is more important than ever that we make sure that parents don’t have to choose between working and taking care of their children.  This legislation is designed to help families pay for a very important service and I want to ensure that the care that is received is top quality,” said Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA). 

Studies show that children in high quality care programs perform better in math, language, and reading and show fewer behavioral problems.  More than 200,000 children and their families in Maryland rely on licensed child care services in order for parents to go to work, school, or attend other activities, according to the Maryland Committee for Children. 

The average family in the Baltimore–Washington region pays $20,752 a year, which is equivalent to $1,729 a month in childcare.  Most families say it is the second-highest household expense behind mortgage or rent payments in their budgets.

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