With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2024 action on state policies to support children and families.
Each year, our policy experts track and analyze hundreds of bills on issues that impact young children and their families. So far this year, lawmakers throughout the country debated—and many passed—legislation that aligns with four key components of the prenatal-to-3 system of care.
- Child Care: At least 26 states introduced, and 8 enacted, bills to expand subsidy eligibility for certain populations, create dedicated funding streams, or establish cost-sharing programs.
- State Tax Credits: At least 27 states introduced, and 4 enacted, bills to establish new state child tax credits or to expand eligibility for existing earned income and child tax credits.
- Paid Family and Medical Leave: At least 34 states introduced, and 6 enacted, bills to establish new statewide programs, modify existing programs, or expand programs for state and public-school employees.
- Community-Based Doulas: At least 18 states introduced, and 6 enacted, bills to require Medicaid or private insurance coverage of doula services, explore doula issues, or ensure doula involvement in the policymaking process.
Clearly, state leaders want to move the needle for children and families. Explore examples from across the country.
© June 2024, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, All Rights Reserved. The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University aims to accelerate states’ implementation of evidence-based policies that help all children thrive from the start.
