Woodville, WI – Family Friendly Workplaces (FFW) announced today its support of Senate Bill 291 and Assembly Bill 283. The legislation would modernize the child care component of the Business Development Tax Credit to better incentivize and reward employers that invest in child care solutions. Critically, child care providers themselves would be eligible to claim this credit for any child care benefits they offer their own employees.

Under current law, only capital investments in child care are eligible for the credit. The bill would expand what expenses are eligible for the credit, allowing both for-profit and nonprofit employers to claim a fifteen percent refundable tax credit for a wide-range of investments in child care. Examples include: reimbursing employees for child care costs, purchasing or reserving child care slots on behalf of employees, making contributions to employees' dependent care flexible spending accounts, and establishing and operating on-site child care programs, amongst others.

"Child care is critical to our workforce and overall economy," said Neil Kline, Executive Director of Family Friendly Workplaces. "This legislation recognizes the important role employers can play in addressing the child care crisis, and creates a mechanism to incentivize and reward their involvement in child care.”

FFW worked closely with Senator Marklein and Representative Hurd while they drafted this legislation, and leveraged the expertise of providers and child care service agencies during that process.

“Complex issues like our child care challenge require multifaceted solutions,” said Neil. “We believe this is an important, incremental step towards addressing this complex issue, and are eager for this proposal to pass the legislature, and hopeful that Governor Evers will sign it.”

About Family Friendly Workplaces
Family Friendly Workplaces is a nonprofit based in Woodville that works to address Wisconsin’s workforce shortage, and strengthen Wisconsin families, by certifying employers as Family Friendly, and encouraging the adoption of Family Friendly practices. Currently, nearly 60 employers are certified under the program, covering nearly 9,000 employees and their families. For more information about Family Friendly Workplaces, visit www.familyfriendlyworkplaces.org.