Child Care Omnibus.

This North Carolina bill aims to improve access to affordable child care by increasing subsidy rates and providing financial support to providers. Starting in October 2026, the state will raise payment rates for licensed centers and homes to match the 75th percentile of market rates, with a specific provision to maintain higher local rates in counties with very few children if the statewide rate would be too low. The legislation appropriates $110 million in recurring funds to implement these rate increases and reinstitutes a $50 million stabilization grant program to help providers with compensation. Additionally, the bill allocates $50 million for matching grants to counties and private employers for physical improvements and capacity expansion, and $60 million for a two-year pilot program that offers subsidies to help child care workers afford care for their own children. To qualify for the worker assistance pilot, providers must be full-time employees earning below 85% of the state median income, and the program requires a 25% match from the employer while prioritizing areas with the highest unmet demand for care.