Schreiber, Rosino bill to support childcare industry becomes law

OKLAHOMA CITY – HB 4298 by Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, and Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, recently became law after being signed by Governor Stitt. The policy aims to support child care facilities by reducing regulatory burden without compromising child safety. The new law requires two changes to current childcare regulations.

First, the law directs the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish manageable master teacher ratios for child care facilities. This change will give needed flexibility to child care providers without compromising child safety. It will not change the overall staff-to-child ratios. Second, the bill allows for differential pay upon approval by the federal government. Federal law allows for child care businesses to charge families some portion of the difference between what the state pays and the private pay costs. However, states must first seek approval from the federal government to charge these fees, as federal law requires states to maintain access to affordable childcare.

HB 4298 requires the total amount charged to parents, both subsidy and gap pay fees, to be no more than 10% of the family’s total income.

The federal government is expected to approve the proposal for this optional fee, as 40 other states allow childcare providers to charge differential fees.

“Parents deserve accurate information, and providers deserve policies that reflect the day-to-day realities of operating childcare programs,” Rosino said. “This bill strikes a balance by granting financial relief to providers without eliminating guardrails that help keep costs in check for families. By adopting an approach that has been successfully implemented in many other states, this measure will provide childcare providers with additional staffing flexibility as they continue to navigate workforce shortages and operational challenges.”

“Master teacher ratio requirements have put unnecessary strain on our child care centers,” said Schreiber. “There is a way to maintain a safe and quality childcare environment without placing this burden on child care centers who are already struggling to keep their doors open. This common sense legislation is aimed at alleviating unnecessary costs to support this critical industry.”

DHS is working diligently to both set the new classroom ratios and obtain approval for the plan from the federal Administration of Children and Families. No provider is required to charge the differential.

This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.