Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 259: Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program; established, sunset.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 259 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 9, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program; established, sunset. Primary sponsor: Shelly Simonds (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Appropriations.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Early childhood care and education; Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program established; requirements. Establishes the Home-Based Child Care Provider Start-Up Grants Pilot Program, whereby funds are provided to Child Care Aware of Virginia to work in conjunction with the public and private partners enumerated in the bill in order to expand the supply of licensed home-based child care providers in the Commonwealth, promote the safety of licensed home-based child care providers, and support access to child care for working parents in the Commonwealth, through providing for the award of grants to licensed and unlicensed home-based child care providers in the Commonwealth in accordance with the requirements of the bill. The bill requires Child Care Aware of Virginia to annually collect and make publicly available data on the number of home-based child care providers supported under the Program. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2029.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Simonds | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 70 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Appropriations
- Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)
- Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 0-N)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB259)
- Assigned HAPP sub: Elementary & Secondary Education
- Referred to Committee on Appropriations
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102915D