Enid, OK – Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced a new bill that could help alleviate the state’s ongoing childcare crisis by offering employers a tax credit to support their workers’ childcare needs. House Bill 1848 passed easily through the House on March 12 and is now set to move to the Senate for consideration. However, the bill is expected to face some hurdles before it becomes law.
Co-authored by Rep. Suzanne Schreiber (D-Tulsa) and Sen. Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond), the legislation seeks to provide employers with a tax credit that can be used in three ways: offering onsite childcare, providing employees with a stipend to help cover childcare costs, or partnering with licensed daycare centers to reserve spots for workers’ children.
This initiative has already garnered support from Oklahoma-based companies like Simple Modern, which employs 110 people. Jon Kuhlman, the company’s Chief Culture Officer, expressed his support for the bill, emphasizing that while the stipend might not cover all childcare expenses, it is a step in the right direction.
“We don’t pretend to think that this stipend covers everything, but we think that it helps, and we want it to help,” Kuhlman said. “That’s the main goal behind why we do it.”
Simple Modern, which is known for its commitment to employee well-being, has already implemented similar programs to assist its workers with childcare costs. Kuhlman noted that the rising cost of childcare has become a significant challenge for working families, and the company wanted to show its support for parents trying to balance their career ambitions with their responsibilities at home.
The issue of childcare is not new to lawmakers. Rep. Schreiber attempted to pass a similar law last legislative session, but it ultimately failed in the final stages of the process. With House Bill 1848, Schreiber is hopeful for a different outcome.
“We need to take it seriously,” Schreiber said in September, speaking about the growing need for comprehensive solutions to the state’s childcare challenges.
If the bill is signed into law, it would offer employers a tax credit of up to $30,000 per worker, spread over five years, to help cover the cost of childcare. There would be an annual cap of $5 million for the program, limiting the total amount of credits available each year.
The passage of House Bill 1848 would mark a significant step forward in addressing the financial burden many working families in Oklahoma face due to high childcare costs. The bill’s proponents argue that this initiative could be a model for other states grappling with similar issues, potentially offering a sustainable solution for both businesses and their employees.
As the bill moves to the Senate, supporters remain hopeful that this time, it will successfully clear all legislative hurdles and become law.
