Bipartisan Legislation Targets Red Tape in Effort to Expand Child Care Access in Oklahoma
House Bill 1979 would create a task force to make recommendations for improving early childhood governance
OKLAHOMA CITY – United WE, a national, non-partisan nonprofit, today joined bipartisan Oklahoma legislators to discuss its research on the barriers to child care access in Oklahoma and highlight new legislation aimed at addressing them. House Bill 1979, introduced by Rep. Trish Ranson, would create a task force to make recommendations for improving access to high-quality early childhood services in Oklahoma — specifically by creating a more efficient and effective governance structure and reducing red tape for early childhood programs in the state.
Under House Bill 1979, an Early Childhood Task Force would focus on streamlining regulations, reducing administrative burdens, and increasing efficiency – helping child care providers focus on care, while increasing supply and enhancing affordability for Oklahoma families. A consolidated governance structure for early childhood services would put Oklahoma among a growing number of states, including Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, that have implemented such a move — reflecting the importance of high-quality early childhood education to families and local economies.
“Our research shows that when child care systems are fragmented and overly complex, women pay the price — through fewer affordable options, longer waitlists, and impossible choices about staying in the workforce,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “By bringing Oklahoma in line with the growing number of states with a more coordinated approach, this bipartisan proposal takes an important step toward expanding child care supply, improving affordability, and helping more women participate fully in Oklahoma’s economy.”
Research consistently shows that gaps in caregiving — particularly child care — are among the top reasons women leave the workforce, costing states billions of dollars each year in lost economic productivity. In Oklahoma, those challenges are especially acute. Last year, United WE released an in-depth, statewide study examining barriers to child care access. The research identified systemic challenges that make it harder for providers to open and stay in business, including regulatory fragmentation and licensing barriers.
Providers reported wide variation in municipal and county zoning, health, and permitting requirements, creating confusion, delays, and unnecessary red tape. Licensing processes within the Department of Human Services were also cited as strained by limited staff capacity, unclear timelines, and inconsistent communication — challenges compounded by high turnover rates. Right now in Oklahoma, there are 19 different early childhood programs being delivered by 5 different agencies.
“This is not a silver bullet, but it is a meaningful step in the right direction,” said Rep. Trish Ranson. “United WE’s research findings reinforce those of our own Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT), which recommended streamlining Oklahoma’s early childhood education services to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. With clearer lines of accountability and less red tape, we can help providers focus on what they do best: caring for and educating our kids during the most critical stage of their development.”
Reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens can also help encourage the creation of additional child care slots and, over time, help lower costs for Oklahoma families. The average annual price of childcare in Oklahoma in 2024 was $11,582 per child, making up 10% of a married couple’s and 32% of a single parent’s income. Oftentimes, quality childcare is similar to or even more expensive than a year of college tuition.
“At a time when child care providers are facing workforce shortages, funding uncertainty, and razor-thin margins, clarity and coordination matter more than ever,” Doyle said. “Stronger governance can reduce costs, ease administrative burdens, and help stabilize the child care sector – which is essential not just for providers and families, but for keeping women in the workforce and strengthening Oklahoma’s economy.”
United WE will continue to work alongside policymakers, providers, employers, and families to ensure that caregiving policies are informed by data, grounded in lived experience, and focused on practical solutions that strengthen Oklahoma’s economy and communities.
“As legislators, we have an obligation to make sure state government is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible - and early childhood programs are no exception,” said Representative Daniel Pae, Chair of the Appropriations & Budget Human Services Subcommittee. “This bill represents a common-sense step toward enhancing accountability and efficiency for taxpayers, while improving outcomes for kids. I look forward to supporting this bill and continuing to make progress on addressing this critical economic and workforce challenge.”
Last year, Rep. Ranson held an Interim Study on Establishing a Department of Early Childhood in Oklahoma in front of the Appropriations and Budget Health Subcommittee. The study explored the challenges currently facing Oklahoma when it comes to early childhood education and support services, other states’ models of early childhood departments, and realistic policy solutions. In a 2021 report, the Oklahoma Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency found that Oklahoma has opportunities to streamline early childhood investments and improve efficiencies through a unified state strategy, and that the state’s fragmented funding approach limits accountability and effectiveness.
“There are many organizations in Oklahoma doing important work to support children and families, but without coordination, even the best efforts can fall short,” said Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. “Taking the time to study a more efficient governance structure through a task force is the right approach for Oklahoma and an important step toward strengthening our early childhood system.”
Video of the press conference is available at: https://youtu.be/UKc1QM7Eqa4
