Sen. Chaudhuri files bill in North Carolina Senate to fund child care capacity

A new bill filed by State Sen. Chaudhuri seeks to enhance child care infrastructure through grants to counties and private employers in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 592 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Statewide Child Care Investment Act.’

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

In essence, this bill allocates $25 million annually from the General Fund to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, directing it towards grants for counties and private employers to support child care capacity building. These grants can be used for various projects, including building construction, renovation, upfitting, improvements, expansion costs, furniture and equipment, or playground installation. To secure the funding, counties and employers must document a 25% match of the State funds. Grant recipients are allowed to use up to 9% of the funds for administrative expenses. This act, which aims to enhance child care infrastructure, will take effect July 1, 2025.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Sophia Chitlik proposed the most bills (52) 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.

Chaudhuri graduated from Davidson College in 1991 with a BA and again in 1999 from North Carolina Central University with a JD.

Chaudhuri, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 15th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Terry Van Duyn.