On Thursday, Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2045, a bipartisan effort to expand access to child care services and consolidate early childhood programs into the Office of Early Childhood. Crafted through negotiations with legislators from both the Kansas House and Senate, the bill passed with strong bipartisan support, receiving votes of 99-23 in the House and 30-10 in the Senate. This marks the most significant early childhood education and care legislation in Kansas in 15 years.

The legislation consolidates nearly 20 existing state programs into the new Office of Early Childhood, set to open in mid-2026. This office will oversee child care licensing, subsidies, home visitation programs, and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. It will be led by a director appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.

House Bill 2045 also streamlines child care licensure processes to reduce barriers for providers and supports the early childhood workforce by setting career pathway standards. It authorizes pilot programs for new licensure categories and eliminates some fees to help increase child care businesses and slots.

This bill reflects the recommendations of the Early Childhood Transition Task Force, created by Governor Kelly in January 2023. It builds on previous efforts, including tax credits for child care and expanding the Imagination Library of Kansas.