North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 44 D · 1 I · 1 R cosponsors

HB 1066 — Child Care Stabilization and Affordability Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 27, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 46 sponsors

    3 primary, 43 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (44 D · 1 I · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

281 added · 280 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill HB 1066 clarify specific eligibility requirements for scholarship grants aimed at students wishing to attend nonpublic schools. Notably, the bill now explicitly states that eligible students must not be enrolled full-time in a postsecondary institution and must come from households earning no more than 200% of the federal free or reduced-price lunch income levels. These changes are significant as they shape which students can apply for financial support, thereby impacting access to educational opportunities for lower-income families.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 1066 Short Title:
1066 Apr 27, 2026 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH40662-LUfa-119C Short Title:Child Care Stabilization & Affordability Act.
Child Care Stabilization & Affordability Act.
Representative Helfrich.
Representatives Helfrich, Lofton, Prather, and von Haefen (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PERMIT OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO BE AWARDED FOR PREKINDERGARTEN;
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 29, 2026 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PERMIT OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO BE AWARDED FOR PREKINDERGARTEN;
A child who is the age of 4 on or before April 16 is eligible to attend the following school year if the principal, or equivalent, of the school in which the child seeks to enroll finds that the student meets the requirements established by the Authority *DRH40662-LUfa-119C* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 pursuanttoG.S.
A child who is the age of 4 on or before April 16 is eligible to attend the following school year if the principal, or equivalent, of the school in which the child seeks to enroll finds that *H1066-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 the student meets the requirements established by the Authority pursuanttoG.S.
(1) For students residing in households with an income level not in excess of the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
(1) For students residing in households with an income level not in excess of the amount required for the student to qualifyfor the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, per year per eligible student, an amount of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the average State per pupil allocation for average daily membership in the prior fiscal year.
"§ 115C-562.8.
Page 2 House Bill 1066-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 115C-562.8.
Page 2 DRH40662-LUfa-119C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 … (b) The General Assembly finds that, due to the critical need in this State to provide opportunity for school choice for North Carolina students, it is imperative that the State provide an increase of funds for 15 years to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve.
… (b) The General Assembly finds that, due to the critical need in this State to provide opportunity for school choice for North Carolina students, it is imperative that the State provide an increase of funds for 15 years to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve.
…." SECTION 1.1.(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, funds appropriated to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve for the award of opportunity scholarship grants pursuant to Part 2A of Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes are reduced as follows:
…." SECTION 1.1.(d) Notwithstanding anyother provision of law to the contrary, funds appropriated to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve for the award of opportunity scholarship grants pursuant to Part 2A of Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes are reduced as follows:
(2) Help employers retain and attract employees.
House Bill 1066-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Help employers retain and attract employees.
DRH40662-LUfa-119C Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Help stabilize child care businesses across the State.
(3) Help stabilize child care businesses across the State.
For purposes of this subsection, a tier one county shall have the same designation as that established by the most current version of the North Carolina Department of Commerce's County Tier Designations.
For purposes of this subsection, a tier one county shall have the same designation as that established bythe most current version of the North Carolina Department of Commerce's County Tier Designations.
(d) The North Carolina Partnership may contract with a third-party administrator to assist with centralized enrollment, paymentprocessing,andotherfinancialtransactions associatedwith the Program.
(d) The North Carolina Partnership maycontract with a third-partyadministrator to assist with centralized enrollment, payment processing, andotherfinancial transactions associatedwith the Program.
(i) The North Carolina Partnership shall include in its annual report required by G.S.
Page 4 House Bill 1066-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (i) The North Carolina Partnership shall include in its annual report required by G.S.
Page 4 DRH40662-LUfa-119C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) The number of children served, by age and county.
(1) The number of children served, by age and county.
143B-168.17, as enactedundersubsection (a) ofthis section,uponenactment ofthissection.
143B-168.17, as enactedundersubsection(a) ofthis section,uponenactment ofthissection.
A taxpayer is allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this Part for each qualifying child of the taxpayer.
A taxpayer is allowed a credit against the tax imposed bythis Part for each qualifying child of the taxpayer.
Filing Status AGI Credit Amount Married, filing jointly Up to $40,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $40,000 Up to $100,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $100,000 0 Head of Household Up to $32,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $32,000 Up to $80,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $80,000 0 Single Up to $20,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $20,000 Up to $50,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $50,000 0 Married, filing separately Up to $20,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $20,000 Up to $50,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $50,000 0.
Filing Status AGI Credit Amount Married, filing jointly Up to $40,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $40,000 Up to $100,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $100,000 0 Head of Household Up to $32,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $32,000 Up to $80,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $80,000 0 Single Up to $20,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $20,000 Up to $50,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $50,000 0 Married, filing separately Up to $20,000 $125.00$250.00 Over $20,000 House Bill 1066-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Up to $50,000 $100.00$125.00 Over $50,000 0.
DRH40662-LUfa-119C Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 2 (b) Limitations.
4 (b) Limitations.
– A nonresident or part-year resident who claims the credit allowed by this section shallreducetheamount ofthecredit bymultiplying it bythefractioncalculatedunder G.S.
– A nonresident or part-year resident who claims the credit allowed by this section shallreducetheamount ofthecredit bymultiplyingit bythefraction calculatedunder G.S.
105-134.5(b) or (c), as appropriate.The credit allowed under this section may not exceed the amount of tax imposed by this Part for the taxable year reduced by the sum of all credits allowed, except payments oftax madeby oronbehalfofthe taxpayer.G.S.
105-134.5(b) or (c), as appropriate.The credit allowed under this section maynot exceed the amount of tax imposed by this Part for the taxable year reduced bythe sum of all credits allowed, except payments oftax madebyoronbehalfofthe taxpayer.G.S.
– If the credit allowed by this section exceeds the amount of tax imposedbythisPartforthetaxableyearreducedbythesumofallcreditsallowable,theSecretary must refund the excess to the taxpayer.
– If the credit allowed by this section exceeds the amount of tax imposedbythisPartforthetaxable yearreducedbythesumofallcreditsallowable,theSecretary must refund the excess to the taxpayer.
(d) Report.–ByJuly15ofeachyear,theCommunityCollegesSystemOfficeshallreport to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services on the following:
(d) Report.–ByJuly15ofeach year,theCommunityCollegesSystemOfficeshallreport to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services on the following:
(3) To the extent information is available, workforce retention rates for apprentices who complete their internship." Page 6 DRH40662-LUfa-119C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 4.1.(b) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds to implement the provisions of this section.
(3) To the extent information is available, workforce retention rates for apprentices who complete their internship." Page 6 House Bill 1066-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 4.1.(b) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds to implement the provisions of this section.
(3) Access reporting requirements for child care subsidy programs and workforce initiatives.
(3) Access reporting requirements for child care subsidyprograms and workforce initiatives.
STATE EMPLOYEE CHILD CARE FACILITIES DRH40662-LUfa-119C Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 6.2.(a) The Department of Administration (DOA) shall inventory underutilized State-owned buildings suitable for conversion into child care facilities that will serve State employees.
STATE EMPLOYEE CHILD CARE FACILITIES House Bill 1066-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 6.2.(a) The Department of Administration (DOA) shall inventory underutilized State-owned buildings suitable for conversion into child care facilities that will serve State employees.
SECTION 8.1.(b) Beginning July 1,2026, provisions of payment rates for child care providers in counties that have a county rate below the State rate for center-based and home-based care are as follows:
SECTION 8.1.(b) Beginning July1, 2026, provisions of payment rates for child care providers in counties that have a county rate below the State rate for center-based and home-based care are as follows:
(2) If it can be demonstrated that the application of the statewide rate to a county with fewer than 50 children in each age group is lower than the county market rate and would inhibit the ability of the county to purchase child care for low-income children, then the county market rate may be applied.
(2) If it can be demonstrated that the application of the statewide rate to a county with fewer than 50 children in each age group is lower than the countymarket rate and would inhibit the ability of the county to purchase child care for low-income children, then the county market rate may be applied.
SECTION 8.1.(c) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, the sum of two hundred five million dollars ($205,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year Page 8 DRH40662-LUfa-119C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 to implement the market rate increases and to establish a floor for child care subsidy rates as set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
SECTION 8.1.(c) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, the sum of two hundred five million dollars ($205,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year Page 8 House Bill 1066-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 to implement the market rate increases and to establish a floor for child care subsidy rates as set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(c) Updatedreimbursement ratescalculatedpursuant tothis sectionshall beimplemented administratively and shall not require further appropriation or legislative approval, subject to the availability of funds.
(c) Updatedreimbursement ratescalculatedpursuant tothis section shall beimplemented administratively and shall not require further appropriation or legislative approval, subject to the availability of funds.
There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division), the sum of twenty-two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($22,700,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and the sum of thirty-six million dollars ($36,000,000) for the 2027-2028 fiscal year in recurring funds to expand the Child Care WAGE$ program, which provides salary supplements for early childhood educators.
There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and EarlyEducation (Division), the sum of twenty-two million seven hundred thousand dollars ($22,700,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and the sum of thirty-six million dollars ($36,000,000) for the 2027-2028 fiscal year in recurring funds to expand the Child Care WAGE$ program, which provides salarysupplements for early childhood educators.
When developing the base budget, as defined by G.S.
When developing the base budget, as defined byG.S.
Thepool shall beoperated separately fromtheState Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees;
Thepool shall beoperated separatelyfromtheState Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees;
DRH40662-LUfa-119C Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Holds a valid license issued by the Department to operate a child care facility or child care program in this State.
House Bill 1066-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Holds a valid license issued by the Department to operate a child care facility or child care program in this State.
– A participating child care employer shall pay not less than fifty percent (50%) of the premium for employee-only coverage elected through the pool established under this section.
– A participating child care employer shall paynot less than fiftypercent (50%) of the premium for employee-onlycoverage elected through the pool established under this section.
– The State Treasurer may contract with one or more third-party administrators, carriers, pharmacy benefit managers, or other vendors as necessary to operate the pool established under this section and may determine benefit design, enrollment periods, coverage effective dates, and other operational matters necessary to implement this section.
– The State Treasurer may contract with one or more third-party administrators, carriers, pharmacybenefit managers, or other vendors as necessary to operate the pool established under this section and may determine benefit design, enrollment periods, coverage effective dates, and other operational matters necessary to implement this section.
EFFECTIVE DATE Page 10 DRH40662-LUfa-119C General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION 10.1.
EFFECTIVE DATE Page 10 House Bill 1066-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION 10.1.
DRH40662-LUfa-119C Page 11
House Bill 1066-First Edition Page 11
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 43 co-sponsors · 133 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (43)

Not signed on (133)

133 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 133 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

taxation labor education health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1066?
HB 1066 is sponsored by Dante Pittman (Democratic), Rodney D. Pierce (Democratic), Garland E. Pierce (Democratic), Marcia Morey (Democratic), Nasif Majeed (U), Jordan Lopez (Democratic), Tim Longest (Democratic), Carolyn G. Logan (Democratic), Ya Liu (Democratic), Abe Jones (Democratic), Monika Johnson-Hostler (Democratic), B. Ray Jeffers (Democratic), Zack Hawkins (Democratic), Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Julia Greenfield (Democratic), Allison A. Dahle (Democratic), Sarah Crawford (Democratic), Amanda P. Cook (Democratic), Mike Colvin (Democratic), Bryan Cohn (Democratic), Tracy Clark (Democratic), Maria Cervania (Democratic), Becky Carney (Democratic), Deb Butler (Democratic), Laura Budd (Democratic), Allen Buansi (Democratic), Terry M. Brown Jr. (Democratic), Kanika Brown (Democratic), Gloristine Brown (Democratic), Mary Belk (Democratic), Cynthia Ball (Democratic), Amber M. Baker (Democratic), Vernetta Alston (Democratic), Eric Ager (Democratic), Lindsey Prather (Democratic), Brandon Lofton (Democratic), Brian Turner (Democratic), Phil Rubin (Democratic), James Roberson (Democratic), Robert T. Reives, II (Democratic), Amos L. Quick, III (Democratic), Renée A. Price (Democratic), Charles Smith (Democratic), Beth Helfrich (Democratic), Julie von Haefen (Democratic), and Neal Jackson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1066?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 27, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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