Pennsylvania lawmakers pushing for childcare safety bill

A House committee advanced legislation Wednesday that would increase oversight and safety requirements for Pennsylvania childcare facilities, with lawmakers seeking to pass the bill before the 2025-26 legislative session ends Nov. 30. The House Children and Youth Committee unanimously advanced Senate Bill 1372, sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks, R-Mercer, which would require greater transparency, oversight and reporting of taxpayer-funded childcare programs in Pennsylvania. “Childcare services and costs have continued to grow, and taxpayers are funding care for some of Pennsylvania’s youngest and most vulnerable children,” the co-sponsor memo for SB 1372 reads. “Greater transparency, oversight…