A new bill filed by State Rep. Dean Arp in the North Carolina House seeks to lower childcare costs by creating a pilot program using state resources and partnerships, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 877 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Childcare Pilot.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a pilot program to provide reduced-cost childcare through a public-private partnership using state resources to lower costs for establishing a childcare facility. It tasks the Legislative Services Office with developing a comprehensive process, including selecting a third-party operator to provide childcare services at rates 25% below market levels. The facility must enroll at least 180 children, pay employees at least 180% of the federal minimum wage, and provide health insurance. The program prioritizes state and university employee access to 80% of childcare slots. The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year and takes effect July 1, 2025, with funds available until July 1, 2027.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donny Lambeth proposed the most bills (57) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Arp graduated from The Military College of South Carolina in 1988 with a BS.
Arp, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2013 to represent the state’s 69th House district, replacing previous state representative Frank McGuirt.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 877 | 04/09/2025 | Childcare Pilot. |
| Dean Arp, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 883 | 04/09/2025 | Support Students with Disabilities Act. |
| Dean Arp and Donny Lambeth | HB 892 | 04/09/2025 | CDL Training/Disaster Affected Areas. |
| Dean Arp, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Brian Echevarria, and Neal Jackson | HB 776 | 04/03/2025 | NC Religious Freedom Restoration Act. |
| Dean Arp, Chris Humphrey, Jonathan L. Almond, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 719 | 04/02/2025 | Continuing Care Retirement Communities Act.-AB |
| Dean Arp, Blair Eddins, Cody Huneycutt, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 751 | 04/02/2025 | Uniform Energy Rates for Seasonal Service. |
| Dean Arp, Mitchell S. Setzer, Neal Jackson, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 762 | 04/02/2025 | Modernize NC S.A.F.E. Act. |
| Dean Arp, Dennis Riddell, John M. Blust, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 606 | 03/31/2025 | Civil Procedure Amendment. |
| Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 542 | 03/26/2025 | Child Care Mental & Behavioral Services/Funds. |
| Dean Arp, Dennis Riddell, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 435 | 03/18/2025 | Mod. Bd. of Eng’ers & Surveyors. |
| Dean Arp, Carla D. Cunningham, Keith Kidwell, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 451 | 03/18/2025 | Diabetes Education for Parents. |
| Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 412 | 03/17/2025 | Child Care Regulatory Reforms. |
| Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, John R. Bell, IV, and Larry C. Strickland | HB 389 | 03/12/2025 | Child Care Workforce Pilot Program. |
| Dean Arp, Chris Humphrey, Jonathan L. Almond, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 357 | 03/10/2025 | Continuing Care Retirement Communities Act.-AB |
| Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Heather H. Rhyne | HB 309 | 03/05/2025 | Various Local Provisions VI. |
| Dean Arp, Dennis Riddell, Destin Hall, and John M. Blust | HB 310 | 03/05/2025 | Eminent Domain. |
| Dean Arp and David Willis | HB 170 | 02/21/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning/Union Co. |
| Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, Kyle Hall, and Larry C. Strickland | HB 74 | 02/10/2025 | House Budget Technical Corrections. |
