SB 248 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Child Care Expansion Act

SB 248, the Child Care Expansion Act, requires licensed child care providers to maintain specific insurance coverage (general liability, property, and workers' compensation) at minimum levels set by the Division of Risk Management. It also mandates that employer-sponsored child care facilities reserve 50% of their capacity for the children of the employer's employees, with the remaining space available to the broader community. The bill directly affects licensed child care providers and employer sponsors operating such facilities. It failed in the House during third reading on March 4, 2026, and did not advance further. The bill focuses on regulatory standards for insurance and space allocation, not on expanding access or providing new funding.
Bill status failed 2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Failed
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 2/17/2026 10:02:597 Amended 2/17/2026 10:02:597 · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to update formatting and timing information, add a new section creating a Child Care Capacity Expansion Restricted Account, and define key terms for a new child care expansion program. The changes establish a dedicated funding mechanism and clarify eligibility criteria for employers and community members participating in the program.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a new restricted account for program funding and formal definitions for program participants.
FISCAL

Added Section 1 creating the Child Care Capacity Expansion Restricted Account to receive lease payments and donations for program implementation.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'community member' (residents within 30 miles, workers within 15 miles, state employees, National Guard, armed forces) and 'employer cooperative' (three or more private employers sharing resources).

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements that account funds must be nonlapsing and can only be used for furniture, equipment, or operations and maintenance of child care facilities.

TECHNICAL

Updated header information from 'Amended Excerpts' to 'Amended' and changed the timestamp from 10:10 AM to 08:11 on February 17, 2026.

Floor votes · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

2547
Failed · 3 other
Total votes 75
Mar 4, 2026
D Democratic14
14 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican61
11 Yea 47 Nay 3
77% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
36
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Mar 4, 2026
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (25-47-3)
house
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Introduced
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors