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Partnership Members’ 2026 Legislative Momentum

Legislative trends for child and family well-being

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Image by AndrzejRembowski from Pixabay

As state legislatures across the nation wrap up a deeply challenging 2026 legislative session, it is impossible to overstate the impact of H.R. 1, or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA), especially when it comes to programs like Medicaid and SNAP that families and children rely on. H.R. 1 dramatically shifted billions in new cost burdens onto states, destabilizing state budgets across the nation. The 2026 legislative session represented state legislatures’ first forays into this new reality, with even greater cost shifts from the federal government still to come in future sessions. 

Child advocates did incredible work in the 2026 session navigating the tension between state budget constraints, tax cuts, and the need for sustained funding for the programs and services that make it possible for children and families to thrive. Their many successes hinged on strong coalitions, persistent advocacy, and tirelessly showing up day after day at the state house with compelling research, data, and framing so that legislators understood exactly who would be harmed by bad legislation – namely children and families, immigrant families, children in the foster care system, students with disabilities, and youth in need of behavioral health support.  

Here’s a highlight reel of how child advocates fought hard for kids and families during the 2026 session:

Economic Security and Tax Policy

Facing massive new federal cost shifts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, states made very different policy choices about tax cuts, state revenues, and economic security for their residents. Those choices often followed party orthodoxy – but not exclusively. 

  • Tax policy: On the left end of the spectrum, Washington passed a “Millionaires Tax” (SB 6346) to safeguard funding for the state’s Working Families Tax Credit. Oregon‘s legislature enacted a “disconnect” from federal tax policy (SB 1507) that prevented the loss of $310M in state revenues. On the end of the political spectrum, Georgia, Utah, and South Carolina doubled down on their states’ pushes to reduce income tax rates, a policy that primarily benefits the highest earners, while scaling back public funding for essential programming that benefits everyone in the state, causing a net loss to those with lower incomes.
  • Child Tax Credits / EITC: Rhode Island Kids Count and partners worked together to win a permanent, refundable Child Tax Credit. Utah passed a modest expansion in that state’s child tax credit (HB 290). Oregon increased the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit by $25M – directly benefiting the lowest-earning families. In Virginia, despite consistent advocacy, bills to enact a Child Tax Credit, and to expand the state’s EITC, did not advance.
  • In Virginia, Voices for Virginia’s Children and partners helped leverage some major wins for family economic security, including the passage of paid family and medical leave (HB1207/SB2), paid sick days (HB5/SB199), and an historic minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour by 2028.

Child care and early childhood policies hang tough

Despite the hostile budget environment, advocates have been incredibly successful at keeping child care and early childhood policies at the top of legislators’ priority lists, across both red and blue states. 

  • Kentucky Youth Advocates and partners worked hard to win comprehensive legislation (HB 6), based on the recommendations of the Kentucky Chamber’s Early Childhood Collaborative, that establishes stronger child care infrastructure throughout the state for child care centers and family child care homes. This robust legislation requires annual training for child care providers on special education, and boosts the safety of young children with disabilities when in the care of others. It also permanently establishes the free child care for child care provider benefit, and will help Kentucky improve its child care subsidy rate, along with many other components. 
  • Access & Affordability: New York State ($3B) and NYC ($25M) increased child care funding significantly, though NYC still faces a voucher crisis. Rhode Island expanded eligibility; Oregon protected $67M for the ERDC program; Washington maintained current subsidy access. Arizona invested $45M in child care, however waitlists continue to pose a problem in that state and many others.
  • Pre-K: New Jersey allocated $1.38B in Preschool Education Aid. New York committed $1.6B for Universal Pre-K by 2028-29. Pennsylvania provided modest increases in Pre-K rates.
  • Workforce & Infrastructure:  Colorado streamlined the state’s Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs) and Early Childhood Councils (ECCs) into a consolidated system that will reduce administrative burdens and enhance local control. Virginia and Kansas incentivized employer involvement via tax programs. Pennsylvania increased retention payments.
  • Employer Incentives: The Colorado Children’s Campaign and partners succeeded in extending the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit for ten years, preserving a state funding stream that generates $80M annually for providers; and Kansas modernized and streamlined the Kansas Child Care Tax Credit.
  • Paid Family Leave: Voices for Georgia’s Children and allies helped pass HB 1118, which provides paid maternal leave for eligible state employees. Virginia and Utah also passed legislation expanding paid family/maternal leave. However, Kentucky‘s proposal to expand  paid leave for state employees (SB 14) stalled in committee.

Child Welfare & Youth Mental Health

The Children’s Action Alliance and coalition partners in Arizona successfully advocated for policy in the state’s FY27 budget to continue and expand support for extended foster care coaching at $8.2M. The program helps young people transitioning out of foster care navigate adulthood, access services, pursue education and employment opportunities, and build long-term stability.

South Carolina and Virginia reduced barriers for kinship caregivers. Rhode Island ensured federal benefits are conserved for children in foster care.

New Jersey, Virginia, and California integrated more mental health support into schools. Arizona, Rhode Island, and Virginia bolstered crisis infrastructure like 9-8-8 and “Marcus Alert.” Colorado leveraged online gaming revenue for mental health services.

Hard-fought victories for health care

Protecting Medicaid coverage was a near-universal theme for child advocates in the 2026 session, with some states making budget and policy choices to offset federal impacts to the Medicaid program, and others delaying action. 

Advocates leveraged strong alliances to keep Medicaid funded, such as the Protect Medicaid Utah Coalition, organizing opposition to detrimental legislation through initiatives like “Protect Medicaid Day” on the Hill.

  • Immigrant Health Care Access: The Children’s Alliance (Washington) celebrated a key win, securing 5,000 additional slots for Apple Health Expansion for immigrant neighbors. California also preserved full-scope Medi-Cal for specific lawfully-present immigrants.
  • Coverage Wins:  New Jersey and Pennsylvania increased funding for NJ FamilyCare and CHIP. Colorado successfully defended the “Cover All Coloradans” program. And Kansas Action for Children won a five year campaign to enact a fix in the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 
  • Behavioral & Mental Health: Washington codified “Washington Thriving” and restored funding for the Partnership Access Line (PAL). Arizona continued investments in the 9-8-8 line and psychiatry access lines. Rhode Island established Mobile Response Stabilization Services; California maintained Medi-Cal mobile crisis benefits.
  • Maternal & Infant Health: New Jersey maintained home visiting and innovation programs. Virginia expanded data reporting and coverage for doula and fertility services.

The health care landscape remains incredibly volatile due to the impacts of H.R. 1, but child advocates are steadfast in their commitment to ensuring that all children have health insurance coverage and can get the care they need to grow up healthy.

Thank you to the Partnership’s network members who shared their legislative updates for this blog!