ASSEMBLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4747

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

      The Assembly Women and Children Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4747.

      This bill, as amended, requires the Commissioner of Human Services to develop financial incentives, to be implemented within 90 days of the effective date of the bill, to encourage private investment in child care facilities located in New Jersey’s identified child care deserts.  The bill defines a “child care desert” as a community or geographic area in which the demand for quality child care services surpasses the available supply of such services, as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services.

      As amended, the bill directs the Commissioner of Human Services to develop the program of financial incentives in conjunction with the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, and the Commissioner of Children and Families.  Moreover, the commissioner is required to consider a variety of potential incentives to encourage private investment in child care facilities, including, but not limited to: tax credits, tax exemptions, loan guarantees, and assistance with recruiting, hiring and training new employees.

      The Commissioner of Human Services is required to apply for any State plan amendments or federal waivers needed to ensure continued federal financial participation for the State’s subsidized child care program.  The provisions of the bill, as amended, will take effect on the 180th day after enactment; however, the commissioner is authorized to take any anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as may be necessary for implementation of the act.

      According to the Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), approximately 40 percent of New Jersey municipalities are classified as child care deserts; of these, the majority are urban or rural communities.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments change the effective date for the bill from immediately, as currently provided in the bill, to the 180th day after enactment; however the Commissioner of Human Services is authorized to take any anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as may be necessary for implementation of the provisions under the bill.