Rep. Willis files bill in North Carolina House to study and improve child care programs

A new bill filed by State Rep. David Willis in the North Carolina House seeks to assess and optimize the state’s child care programs and funding allocation, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 800 on April 7 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Review Effectiveness & Delivery of Child Care.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Child Development and Early Education to study the effectiveness and delivery of the NC Pre-K and Smart Start programs and review other child care initiatives to optimize funding and placement of children in licensed care. It mandates reassignment of open NC Pre-K slots and explores changes to the quality rating improvement system. A pilot program is created with $10 million annually for 2025-27 from the General Fund, granting child care teachers automatic child care subsidy eligibility for their preschool-age children, provided they meet certain educational requirements. The Division is tasked with implementing this program by July 1, 2025, focusing on counties with significant child care capacity loss. It compels regular reporting on program participation and retention and ensures the choice of quality-rated centers for subsidized care. The bill also requires collaboration with the Department of Insurance to suggest ways to reduce child care insurance costs.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD proposed the most bills (53) 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.

Willis graduated from Appalachian State University in 1996.

Willis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 68th House district, replacing previous state representative D. Craig Horn.