Senate passes FY24 state budget

On May 25, the Senate passed a $55.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2024. During budget debate, senators added $800,000 in amendments to the Early Education and Care budget (see below for details, line items 3000-1000 and 3000-7052). Overall, the Senate budget invests $220 million more in early education than the House, but details vary for specific line items and revenue sources. These differences will be negotiated soon by a six-member Conference Committee of House and Senate members.

Senate budget background and details...

On May 9, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2024. This proposal includes significant investments in early education and care, including $475 million for C3 grants.

See below for budget line item language, and contact Titus DosRemedios if you would like more information. Check this page soon for Conference Committee advocacy opportunities.

EEC Administration (3000-1000)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $6,544,822 [includes $50,000 for Springfield Day Nursery Corporation, and $100,000 for Jumpstart]
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $7,069,823 [includes $200,000 for a Cape and Islands early education needs assessment, $50,000 for Nurtury, Inc., $100,000 for More Than Words, Inc., $25,000 for East End House, $250,000 for Jumpstart, and $50,000 for Square One]
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $12,201,537 [includes includes $5 million for additional navigation support and outreach to families, $100,000 for More than Words in Boston, $25,000 for Child Care of the Berkshires, $60,000 for Acre Family Child Care in Lowell, $350,000 for Jumpstart for Young Children, $25,000 for East End House in Cambridge, and $50,000 for Springfield Day Nursery] For language on subsidy payment based on enrollment, see 3000-3060 and 3000-4060.
FY24 Governor: $11,591,537
FY24 House Ways & Means: $11,591,537
FY24 House Final: $11,936,537 [includes $60,000 for the support of grant funding and personnel efforts in Duxbury; $50,000 for the Elizabeth Peabody House Association in Somerville; $35,000 for the Hyde Square Task Force, Inc. for creative development and community engagement programs; $100,000 for More Than Words, Inc. for a job training program for youth and young parents; $50,000 for capital improvements for the Haskins facility of Child Care of the Berkshires, Inc.; $50,000 for For Kids Only Afterschool, Incorporated for a pilot workforce development program to support programming for low-income and at-risk children and educators]
FY24 Senate Ways & Means: $11,591,537 [language allows up to $25 million in any unexpended FY 2023 subsidy funds from 3000-3060 and 3000-4060 to be used for center-based rate increases in FY 2024]
FY24 Senate Final: $12,141,537 [language allows up to $25 million in any unexpended FY 2023 subsidy funds from 3000-3060 and 3000-4060 to be used for center-based rate increases in FY 2024; language includes $450,000 for Jumpstart, and $100,000 for the city of Boston to provide infant mental health endorsement training for early education and care providers]

Quality Improvement (3000-1020)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $44,601,119 [includes $50,000 for Nurtury, Inc.]
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $44,551,119
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $44,551,119
FY24 Governor: $46,706,191
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $46,706,192
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $46,706,191

EEC Strategic Planning and Investment (3000-1040)
For a strategic analysis and recommendations focused on sustainable funding to support families in accessing stable and affordable child care that meets their needs and the education and care needs of their children, building on the final report of the special legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review commission established by section 106 of chapter 227 of the acts of 2020; provided, that the commissioner of early education and care, in consultation with the secretary of administration and finance, secretary of education, and secretary of health and human services, shall develop the strategic analysis and recommendations; provided further, the strategic analysis and recommendations may include, but not be limited to, the following areas: (a) an estimate of the need for various types of early education and care options; (b) an estimate of the supply and related resources and supports available to meet the affordable education and care needs of families in Massachusetts; (c) options for leveraging funding sources to ensure that the needs of families can be met; (d) simplifying the system for funding providers that accept children with state subsidy and incentives for new providers to serve children with funding from the subsidy system; (e) providing predictable funding to allow child care providers to operate in a sustainable and affordable manner; (f) creating a sustainable financing structure to support early education and care providers in meeting the needs of families; (g) reducing the state's waitlist for subsidized child care; (h) expanding the state child care system's capacity to provide high-quality child care; (i) coordinating eligibility for low-income families across eligibility for other state services and benefits, including but not limited to tax credits, housing, health care, economic assistance and food assistance; provided further, that funds may be used for one-time improvements that assist all families in connecting to child care providers; and provided further, this funding may be spent through June 30, 2025
FY24 Governor: $5,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: not funded
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: not funded

Rate Increase for Early Educators in Center-Based and Family Child Care (3000-1041)
FY24 Governor: $20,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $20,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $20,000,000

Rate Increase for Early Educators in Center-Based Programs (3000-1042)
FY21 Final Budget: $20,000,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $20,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $60,000,000, includes language "provided, that not less than $20,000,000 shall be expended to increase the reimbursement rate by an appropriate percentage for all such providers; provided further, that not less than $40,000,000 shall be expended to increase the reimbursement rate through a daily quality add-on rate by the same percentage for all such providers, inclusive of administration staff in family child care systems agencies"
FY24 Governor: not funded (see line item 3000-1041)
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $80,000,000, includes $10,000,000 for grants to early education and care providers for costs associated with personal childcare
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: not funded, [see language in 3000-1000 which allows $25 million in unspent FY23 subsidy funds to be used for a center-based rate increase in FY24]

Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grants (3000-1045)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $25,000,000 - Coronavirus Reserve, Workforce and Operational Costs.
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: not funded
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $250,000,000
For grants to support and stabilize the early education and care workforce and address varied operational costs at state child care programs supervised by the department of early education and care, especially those related to the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic and the costs associated with stabilizing capacity during the period of pandemic recovery; provided, that the distribution of stabilization grants shall prioritize equity and early education programs with higher percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs including, but not limited to, the: (i) number of enrolled children; (ii) number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; and (iv) available demographic data of the families served by participating providers; provided further, that the department shall submit quarterly reports on the distribution of funds from this item to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education; provided further, that each report shall include, but not be limited to: (a) a description of the formula through which funding is allocated to providers; (b) an analysis of the incorporation of equity into said formula, including the projected disbursement of funding to state subsidized and non-state subsidized childcare programs; (c) an analysis of the data collected by the department from participating programs; and (d) a description of the efforts undertaken to improve the distribution of funds to providers serving high-needs populations; provided further, that funds may be expended for departmental technical assistance related to the administration and distribution of funding; and provided further, that the department shall provide technical assistance to providers to assist them in planning expenditures so as to avoid any fiscal cliffs in future fiscal years, prior appropriation continued

Economic Development Bill, November 2022: $150,000,000
FY23 Supplemental Budget: $68 million

FY24 Governor: $375,000,000 (plus additional $100,000,000 in 1596-2410 below)
For grants to support available capacity, support workforce and address operational costs within the early education and care sector; provided, that grants shall be available to child care programs supervised by the department of early education and care; provided further, that the distribution of grants shall prioritize equity and early education programs with higher percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including but not limited to, the number of enrolled children, number of educators employed, and a breakdown of the funding from the operational grants spent to recruit and retain employees; provided further, that the department shall report such data to the joint committee on education, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance on a quarterly basis; and provided further, that the department shall provide technical assistance to providers to assist them in planning expenditures so as to avoid any so called "funding cliffs" in future fiscal years
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $250,000,000 (plus additional $40,000,000 in 1596-2410 below)
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $475,000,000 [includes data and reporting requirements]

Early Education & Care Infrastructure and Policy Reform Reserve (3000-1046)
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $25,000,000
For a reserve to support system-wide infrastructure investments and improve access to early education and care services for children and families; provided, that the commissioner of early education and care may transfer funds from this item to items 3000-1000, 3000-2000, 3000-3060 and 3000-4060, as necessary; provided further, that not less than 30 days prior to the transfer of funds from this item, the department shall submit a spending plan to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education, which shall detail by object class the distribution of funds to be transferred; provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be expended to child care resource and referral agencies for additional navigational support and outreach to families eligible for state-subsidized early education and care; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended to support departmental initiatives related to the review and management of subsidy regulations and policies that support the stability of early education and care providers; provided further, that the department shall expend funds to evaluate an improved funding model for child care sustainability and quality including, but not limited to, a classroom based funding model; and provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended for grants to early education and care providers for costs associated with personal childcare
FY24 Governor: not funded
FY24 House Ways & Means: not funded
FY24 Senate Ways & Means: not funded

Access Management (3000-2000)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $11,100,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $12,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $15,000,000
FY24 Governor: $20,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $20,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $20,000,000

Supportive Child Care & TANF (3000-3060)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $350,928,901 [allows EEC to make COVID-related stabilization payments to providers, including classroom stabilization grants]
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $358,928,901. Includes language re. improved child care funding models, and transferring unspent funds to 3000-1045: provided further, that not later than December 30, 2021, the commissioner shall report to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation or further development of an improved funding model for child care sustainability and quality; provided further, that not later than April 15, 2022, the commissioner shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance the projected expenses for the program; provided further, that if the department of early education and care determines that the available appropriation exceeds projected expenses, the commissioner shall transfer the amount that would otherwise be unspent by June 30, 2022 to item 3000-1045.
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $325,541,422, includes language: "provided, that providers shall be reimbursed for subsidized childcare services funded under this item based on enrollment." Includes eligibility language: "in light of the economic impact of COVID-19, for families participating in education and training services funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program"
FY24 Governor: $355,658,167
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $328,195,070
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $355,783,167

Income Eligible (3000-4060)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $286,702,892 [allows EEC to make COVID-related stabilization payments to providers, including classroom stabilization grants]
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $298,702,892. Includes language re. improved child care funding models, and transferring unspent funds to 3000-1045:
provided further, that not later than December 30, 2021, the commissioner shall report to the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the implementation or further development of an improved funding model for child care sustainability and quality; provided further, that not later than April 15, 2022, the commissioner shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance the projected expenses for the program; provided further, that if the department of early education and care determines that the available appropriation exceeds projected expenses, the commissioner shall transfer the amount that would otherwise be unspent by June 30, 2022 to item 3000-1045.
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $368,108,945, includes language: "provided, that providers shall be reimbursed for subsidized childcare services funded under this item based on enrollment."
FY24 Governor: $417,992,201
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $385.580,298
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $417,992,201

Head Start (3000-5000)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $15,000,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $15,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $16,500,000
FY24 Governor: $15,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $17,500,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $17,500,000

Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (3000-6025)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $5,000,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $10,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $15,000,000
FY24 Governor: $15,000,000 (plus additional $15,000,000 in 1596-2412 below)
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $15,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $15,000,000 (plus additional $15,000,000 in 1596-2412 below)

Early Childhood Mental Health (3000-6075)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $2,500,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $3,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $3,500,000
FY24 Governor: $5,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $5,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $5,000,000

EEC Contingency Contract Retained Revenue (3000-7040)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $185,185
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $320,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $320,000
FY24 Governor: $320,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $320,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $320,000

Services for Infants and Parents (3000-7050)
FY21 Final Budget: $11,539,190
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $11,539,190
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $11,699,190, includes language: "provided further, that not more than $160,000 shall be expended for technical assistance."
FY24 Governor: $11,699,190
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $11,699,190
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $11,699,190

Parent Child+ (3000-7052)
[included in 3000-7050 in previous budgets]
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $3,000,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $3,300,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $4,000,000
FY24 Governor: $4,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $4,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means: $4,000,000
FY24 Senate Final: $4,250,000

Neighborhood Villages pilot (3000-7055)
FY21 Final Budget: $1,000,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $1,000,000
FY24 Governor: $1,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $1,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $1,000,000

Workforce Development Initiative (3000-7066)
FY21 Final Budget: $10,000,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $5,000,000
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $10,000,000
FY24 Governor: $10,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means and House Final: $10,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $10,000,000

Reach Out and Read (3000-7070)
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $1,000,000
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $1,548,228
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $1,548,228
FY24 Governor: $1,000,000
FY24 House Ways & Means: $1,000,000
FY24 House Final: $1,750,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $1,000,000

Childcare Grants to Providers (1596-2410)
FY24 Governor: $100,000,000 For recurring expenses for grants to support available capacity, support workforce and address operational costs within the early education and care sector; provided, that grants shall be available to child care programs supervised by the department of early education and care; provided further, that the distribution of grants shall prioritize equity and early education programs with higher percentages of state subsidized enrollment; provided further, that the grants shall be provided to child care providers whose enrollment includes at least fifty percent of children with a state subsidy; provided further, that funds from this line item shall be expended in coordination with funds from line item 3000-1045; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including but not limited to, the number of enrolled children, number of educators employed, and a breakdown of the funding from the operational grants spent to recruit and retain employees; provided further, that the department shall report such data to the joint committee on education, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance on a quarterly basis; and provided further, that the department shall provide technical assistance to providers to assist them in planning expenditures so as to avoid any so called "funding cliffs" in future fiscal years
FY24 House Ways & Means: $40,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: not funded

Income Eligible Waitlist (1596-2411)
FY24 Governor: $25,000,000 For recurring expenses for reducing the waitlist for income-eligible early education and care programs; provided, that teen parents and homeless families at risk of becoming eligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children may be paid from this item; provided further, that informal early education and care benefits for families meeting income-eligibility criteria may be funded from this item; and provided further, that early education and care services funded from this item shall be distributed geographically in a manner that provides fair and adequate access to early education and care for all eligible individuals
FY24 House Ways & Means: $25,000,000
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $25,000,000

CPPI Pre-K Initiative (1596-2412)
FY24 Governor: $15,000,000 For For recurring expenses for planning and implementation activities in cities, towns, regional school districts or educational collaboratives to expand pre-kindergarten or preschool opportunities on a voluntary basis to children who will be eligible for kindergarten within two school years, utilizing the Massachusetts Preschool Expansion Grant public-private partnership model; provided, that preference shall be given to districts serving high percentages of high-needs students; provided further, that additional preference shall be given to districts that have completed strategic planning efforts that support expanding access to high-quality preschool; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds distributed from this item shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative and held in a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town, regional school district or educational collaborative without further appropriation
FY24 House Ways & Means: not funded
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $15,000,000

Early education and care capital improvements (1596-2429)
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $25,000,000

Grants to early education and care providers for personal child care (1596-2430)
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: $15,000,000

Massachusetts State Scholarship Program (7070-0065)
funds Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, estimated $3.2 million annually.
FY21 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $120,000,000 [language preserves FY20 funding levels for ECE Scholarship]
FY22 Conference Committee and Final Budget: $130,500,000 [includes $3,600,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $175,150,000 [includes $5,000,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY24 Governor: $175,150,000
FY24 House Ways & Means: $175,150,000 [includes $3,600,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY24 Senate Ways & Means: $175,150,000 [includes $5,000,000 for ECE Scholarship]
FY24 Senate Final: $175,650,000 [includes $5,000,000 for ECE Scholarship]

High-Quality Early Education and Care Affordability Fund Transfer (Outside Section 180)
FY23 Conference Committee and Final Budget (GAA): $175,000,000 in a one-time transfer to this new trust fund. See budget language here.
Economic Development Bill, November 2022: $315,000,000

Report on the impact of C3 stabilization grants on educational equity and kindergarten readiness (Outside Section 30a)
FY24 House Ways & Means: included
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: not included - see C3 data and reporting requirements in 3000-1045

Operational Services Division Price Limitation (Outside Section 7)
FY24 Senate Ways & Means and Senate Final: The sixth paragraph of section 22N of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:-Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, child care and school age programs contracting with the department of early education and care or their agents shall be exempt from the price limitations set forth by the bureau.

Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget Timeline
FY24 starts on July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.