"The budget for my child care is very tight. Higher fees mean cutting back on curriculum and supplies for my children. Because parents' needs often change, I can't count on the same income every month. I had to borrow to pay my $250.00 fees—and I know I'm not the only one."

—Debra Brodil, licensed family child care provider in Dakota County

High licensing fees make it hard for family child care providers to maintain and improve our services.

During state budget cuts in 2003, the Legislature authorized counties to charge providers up to $250 every year in licensing and background-check fees.

Many home-based providers, who are already struggling with the rising cost of delivering child care, are now required to pay for their own background checks—even while large day care centers are not. Licensing fees vary greatly among counties: In Olmsted County, providers now pay 13 times more for a license than teachers do over a five- year period, while providers in Ramsey County pay no licensing fee.

On average, family child care providers earn an estimated $11,656 per year.

Since 2003, almost 1,000 providers have closed their businesses—and high fees make it even more difficult for providers to keep serving our communities. As mandatory costs rise, providers have less to spend on educational materials and nutritious food for the children in their care.

Our bill would cap fees at $50 per year.

House File 659/Senate File 536 would reduce the licensing fee to $50 and centralize background checks at the state level, so that Minnesota can keep kids safe and providers can deliver the quality child care working families need.