Virginia Democrats Push Sweeping Child Care Bills

Virginia Democrats Roll Out Multi-Bill Push to Expand Government Child Care Help

Measures would raise subsidy income limits and create state matching funds for employers offering child care assistance.

Published January 19, 2026

Virginia Democrats are opening the General Assembly session with a broad child care agenda that expands government-backed assistance and pushes new incentives for employers—an approach that could grow the state’s financial footprint at the same time lawmakers are bracing for a major budget fight.

The early package includes three major proposals: SB 20, introduced by Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, would expand eligibility for Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program by raising income limits, allowing more families to qualify for assistance. Supporters say the change targets a growing gap in the current system: households that earn too much to qualify but still can’t afford market-rate child care, particularly in regions facing long waiting lists and limited provider capacity. Critics are likely to argue that widening eligibility without addressing supply constraints could increase demand faster than the system can deliver slots—while sending costs upward.

Alongside that plan, Democrats are advancing employer-based strategies intended to keep more parents working. SB 3, carried by Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, would create an Employee Child Care Assistance Program that provides state matching funds to employers that help pay for their employees’ child care. HB 18, sponsored by Del. Adele McClure, D-Arlington, would establish a similar program in the House, signaling broad support for a model that pairs public dollars with private contributions.

Taken together, the bills reflect a “multi-lane” approach: expanding eligibility for direct subsidies while encouraging businesses to offer workplace benefits that can reduce worker absences, turnover, and scheduling disruptions. Employers have increasingly warned that child care shortages aren’t just a family issue—they’re a workforce stability problem, affecting hiring and retention across industries. (RELATED: Virginia Democrats Enter Session With Big Agenda, Four Amendments, and Budget Uncertainty)

The proposals are arriving during a high-stakes budget year. Outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin introduced a $212 billion biennial spending plan last month, but lawmakers are preparing for a major rewrite as federal policy changes create uncertainty around state resources. Child care bills are expected to compete with other priorities, including education and health care funding, making cost and program design central to the debate.

Even so, Democrats now control the governorship and both chambers of the General Assembly, shifting the outlook for policies that were previously slowed by divided government or veto threats. Whether this child care agenda advances will depend not only on legislative support, but also on whether the state can fund expanded access sustainably—and whether existing systems can scale fast enough in areas already facing shortages.