Part I.

Require the Department of Administration (DOA) to report to the specified NCGA committee and commission by March 31, 226, on the feasibility and advisability of using obsolete and underutilized state-owned buildings (available buildings) to house childcare facilities giving priority to state employees. Specifies items that must be included in the report, including estimated costs for asbestos and lead remediation and barriers to the use of available buildings for childcare. Requires any state project to build or renovate property with a budget more than $5 million to include a child care center or adult day care center if more than 250 people would work in the building. Specifies that this includes current projects that have no broken ground by July 1, 2025, unless one of the specified exceptions apply.

Part II.

Requires the Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division) to establish a pilot program for onsite childcare for state employees, that meets the specified parameters, including that (1) the childcare facility must operate an apprenticeship program in conjunction with a public or private university or community college who operates an early childcare education program; and (2) the State will provide the upfit cost of the space to meet the licensure requirements at reasonable levels that are customary at the operators' other facilities and those similarly situated and provide use of the space rent free.

Appropriates $5 million for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the Division to use in establishing the childcare centers. Provides that if the state incurs any expenses for asbestos or lead remediation in establishing the childcare centers the state is eligible for reimbursement from the Asbestos and Lead Remediation Fund subject to the rules of the fund for up to $500,000. Effective July 1, 2025.

Requires the Division to report to the specified NCGA committees and division, by April 1, 2027, on the implementation of the pilot program.

Part III.

Appropriates $6 million for 2025-26 from the General Fund to DHHS for a pilot program giving counties grants to establish third-shift childcare for first responders, with priority to be given to third shift facilities operated in unused or underutilized county-owned buildings. Requires a report by April 1, 2027, to the specified NCGA committees and division on the implementation of the pilot program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part IV.

Requires the State Board of Community Colleges to study and report to the specified NCGA committees and division by March 31, 2026, on implementation of a publicly available child care program on every community college campus with priority given to children of community college employees and students. Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Community College System Office for the study, effective July 1, 2025.

Requires the UNC Board of Governors to study and report to the specified NCGA committees and division by March 31, 2026, on implementation of a publicly available child care program on every constituent institution campus with priority given to children of university employees and students. Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors or the study, effective July 1, 2025.

Part V.

Requires the Division to establish the Commercial Childcare Licensure Workgroup to examine streamlining requirements for the physical structure of commercial childcare centers. Sets out membership of the workgroup and requires the workgroup to develop findings and recommendations related to three specified issues. Requires the Division to report by January 1, 2026, to the specified NCGA committees and division.