Bill Text: MS HR16 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi House Resolution 16

Introduced

Bill Title: Week of the Young Child; designate April 8 through 12, 2026 as.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)

Status: (Failed) 2026-02-03 - Died In Committee [HR16 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2026-HR16-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Taylor, Hulum, Sanders

House Resolution 16

A RESOLUTION DECLARING APRIL 8 THROUGH 12, 2026, AS "WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD" IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, the first years of a child's life are the period of the most rapid brain development and lay the foundation for all future learning; and

WHEREAS, nationwide, women are quitting their jobs at a higher rate than men, and that gender quit gap is widest in the states with the most child care disruptions; and

WHEREAS, participation in high quality early childhood education saves taxpayer dollars, makes working families more economically secure, and prepares children to succeed in school, earn higher wages, and live healthier lives; and

WHEREAS, the average wage for child care providers, who are skilled and valuable frontline professionals that have risked their health to provide education and care during a global pandemic, is less than $13.00 per hour, with Black and Latino child care providers making even less; and

WHEREAS, the majority of these costs, which often exceed the cost of a year college tuition, are born by parents, who often cannot afford it; and

WHEREAS, the lack of sufficient public investment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced child care programs, educators, and families into a series of impossible choices with devasting consequences; and

WHEREAS, young children need skilled, educated, competent, consistent, and compensated early childhood education settings, and working families need a strong regulatory structure to give them peace of mind that their children are safe and in high quality early care and education settings; and

WHEREAS, early childhood educators need the ability to earn a family sustaining wage that is commensurate with the required education and skills they bring to the complex valuable work they do and:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby declare April 8 through 12, 2026, as "Week of the Young Child" in Mississippi, and commit to investments that stabilize, sustain, and support child care and early learning, so this essential workforce can continue to support children, families, and our economy through the pandemic crisis, recovery, and beyond.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.