FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2025
Contact: Meghan Holden, The Connecticut Project Action Fund, meghanholden@ctproject.org
NEW HAVEN – The Connecticut House of Representatives today passed S.B. 1, landmark legislation that establishes a lasting investment in early childhood education. The bill previously passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 32-4 and now awaits action from Governor Ned Lamont, who named child care as one of his budget priorities this year.
The following is a reaction from Garth Harries, president and CEO of The Connecticut Project Action Fund:
“Every family, from every background, should have the financial freedom and peace of mind that come with affordable, quality child care. This historic bill is a transformative step toward a Connecticut where universally affordable, quality child care, from infancy through preschool, is a reality. We applaud the legislature and Governor for listening to parents, educators, and business leaders to establish this lasting legacy for Connecticut children, families, and our economy. We look forward to working with agencies, advocates, educators, and parents to make its promise a reality.”
S.B. 1 creates the Universal Preschool Trust and allows an investment of up to $300 million into it this year. Under the bill, the Trust will receive additional investments in the future, according to specific budget parameters. The Trust will most immediately be used to expand preschool access by covering tuition expenses for families. The bill also establishes a timeline for allowing funds to also be used for improvements to early education programs and to cover infant and toddler tuition expenses.