Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) today commends the decision of the Governor to pass a bill in which he cosponsored, A.612, which amends the Social Services Law Concerning Appropriate Staff–Child Ratios in Family Day Care Homes, Group Family Day Care Homes, School-Age Day Care Programs and Day Care Centers.

Maher, who has been a strong advocate for strengthening New York’s child care system, said the governor’s approval marks a significant step forward for families and providers, but is only one step in addressing this ongoing crisis.

 “Families across New York are struggling to find safe, reliable child care, especially due to the ongoing CCAP funding crisis and the industry still recovering from facility closures during the pandemic.This legislation is just one step towards strengthening our child care system by creating consistent quality standards, improving staffing ratios and helping providers operate sustainably while keeping children safe. This bill will create more child care slots without putting additional expenses on providers.”

The bill's passage comes at a critical moment for New York’s child care sector, which continues to face workforce shortages, rising operational costs, and uneven regulations that vary widely across regions. By establishing uniform, evidence-based staffing ratios, A.612 will help stabilize the system and provide providers with a more transparent framework for compliance and long-term planning.

Maher also expressed gratitude and optimism to the bipartisan coalition of legislators, advocates and child care providers who worked for years to advance this reform.

“While this is a win for local families and child care providers, we must keep our eyes on the fact that our child care system is continuing to be crippled every day by the CCAP funding crisis. More than half of the counties in New York State either have waitlists or are denying all applicants. Tens of thousands of families have been affected, and the impact continues to be devastating for local families. We must address the CCAP crisis by funding the program fully in the upcoming budget and we must pass my legislation that would reappropriate current state funding that exists to communities that need relief right now!”

Assemblyman Maher is the ranking Minority member on the New York State Assembly children and families committee and was proud to work with his Majority colleague and Chairman of the Assembly Children and families committee, Andy Hevesi, on this bipartisan legislation.