Create Free Citywide Child Care for All NYC Residents
Enacted on Jul 31, 2026Signed into law by the Mayor.
Signed into Law
Local Law 2026/121
✦ Plain-Language Summary
This law would establish a new Office of Child Care responsible for expanding and improving child care services across all five boroughs. Within four years, the city would be required to provide free child care to all NYC residents, regardless of income. This could be a major relief for families struggling with the high cost of child care in New York City.
Details
- Introduced
- Feb 12, 2026
- Passed Council
- Jul 30, 2026
- Enacted
- Jul 30, 2026
- Body
- Committee on Education
- Type
- Introduction
- Status
- Enacted
Sponsors (28)
Official Description
This bill would create an Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (the “Office”) to assist the mayor in planning and implementing child care for any child who resides in the city at no cost to a parent, stepparent, guardian, or relative of such child. The bill would require the Office to coordinate the provision of child care in the city, including, among other mandates, developing recommendations for implementation; considering costs and potential sources of funding for the expansion of child care; and supporting agencies in identifying potential locations for additional child care programs.