PA HB781

Establishes a pilot salary supplement program for child-care center employees who work directly with children under four years of age, aimed at creating pay parity to prevent losing infant/toddler care workers to higher-paying prekindergarten positions

Requires the Department of Human Services to issue salary supplements by September 30, 2026 for the first fiscal year, with the three-year pilot program expiring after the third fiscal year of payments

Applies only to for-profit child-care centers serving seven or more unrelated children; excludes centers operating under social service auspices or approved Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts providers

Prohibits child-care centers from using program funds to supplant existing wages or intentionally lower payroll costs; all money must directly supplement employee salaries

Requires the department to monitor employee retention rates, education advancement, and salary data, then report findings and continuation recommendations to the General Assembly within one year of the pilot's expiration