Early Edge Blog

Governor Newsom Signs AB 82 to Provide Urgent Relief to Child Care Workers

February 25, 2021

On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 82 (Ting), allocating more than $400 million to support child care workers in California. The bill, which is funded through federal COVID-19 relief funds, represents the first major victory of the newly-formed Child Care Providers Union. AB 82 is an urgency bill, meaning it will take effect and funds will be allocated immediately. 

Specifically, AB 82 provides:

• Stipends of $525 for each child in subsidized care to support COVID-19 related costs
• $30M to continue waiving family fees until July 2021
• $80M to reimburse providers for COVID-19 costs, including increased costs associated with providing care for school-age children
• $80M to fund additional emergency child care vouchers for the children of essential workers
• 16 additional paid non-operational days for Alternative Payment providers who close for COVID-related reasons, such as quarantine following an exposure or provider illness and recovery. 

In addition, the Governor offered significant support to California’s most vulnerable families by providing $600 stimulus checks to low-income Californians to supplement federal stimulus funds, and providing up to $1,200 stimulus checks to individuals in undocumented or mixed-status households, who have been denied federal stimulus support. 

This action helps ensure that child care providers can continue to support working families as the economy reopens and that the most vulnerable Californians, including millions of children, receive support they need. We commend the Child Care Providers Union, the California Legislature, and the Governor for their work on passing this important legislation. 

Learn more about AB 82 and the full relief package for Californians signed by the Governor on February 23, 2021.