New Hampshire Governor Signs Bill Extending Childcare Staff Ratio Waiver Program
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 1771 into law Friday, extending a waiver program that allows certain childcare facilities to operate with higher provider-to-child ratios than state regulations typically permit.
The pilot program, which launched in 2024, had been set to expire on December 31, 2025. The new legislation removes that end date, allowing the program to continue indefinitely. It is scheduled to take effect at the end of July.
Participation in the waiver program has remained limited — fewer than 10 of New Hampshire’s more than 600 licensed childcare programs have made use of it. Supporters argue the flexibility it provides is a modest but meaningful tool for addressing the state’s ongoing childcare shortage.
Rep. Katy Peternel, a Wolfeboro Republican who sponsored the legislation, said earlier this year that she viewed the program as a small step toward easing the shortage of available childcare options across the state.
New Hampshire has faced sustained pressure on childcare availability, a challenge shared by many states as demand for licensed providers continues to outpace supply. Lawmakers have explored a range of approaches to expand access, from workforce incentives to regulatory flexibility measures like this one. For more on related state budget and policy developments, see our recent coverage.