State Rep. DJ Johnson has filed legislation aimed at increasing enrollment capacity in Kentucky’s child care centers by updating how the state calculates square footage limits.
House Bill 190 would revise the current definition of usable space in child care centers to include restrooms and common areas, which are currently excluded from enrollment calculations.
“Our commonwealth faces a child care center shortage that greatly impacts the ability for families to enter the workforce,” Johnson said. “It is up to us in the General Assembly to forge a path forward for our working families by providing child care facilities the ability to enroll more students in a safe and sustainable environment.”
Johnson noted that other states, including Ohio, have made similar updates to their laws with positive results.
“HB 190 maintains our high standards for child care facilities while giving them the opportunity to impact more families in our communities and a chance to bring in revenue to keep their doors open,” Johnson said. “This measure will take us one step closer to easing our child care crisis. We need to do everything we can to provide more quality child care for our working families.”
The 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly began Jan. 6 and continues through April 15. For more information about HB 190 or other legislative measures, visit legislature.ky.gov.
