Ohio Republicans Split on Child Care Fraud Response as Camera Mandate Faces Targeted Reform Push

Overview

• A bill from Reps. Josh Williams and D.J. Swearingen would require cameras in general areas and at entrances of publicly funded child care centers, retain recordings for 60 days, give the state live access, and allow funding suspensions on credible suspicion of fraud, with no funding provided for equipment.
• A competing GOP plan led by Rep. Phil Plummer, including House Bill 647, emphasizes $5 million for data-system upgrades, expanded attorney general oversight, and new tools for the state to pause payments, with Plummer calling claims of sweeping fraud overblown.
• Gov. Mike DeWine’s office reports 124 public tips over the past year led to about $2 million in repayments from 61 providers and 12 closures, and officials note those figures include billing errors and are not tied to recent activist videos.
• The Department of Children and Youth says it received more than 60 tips in two weeks and has inspected 50 of those sites, conducted 10,000 unannounced visits last year resulting in 38 closures, and launched a random audit of 400 facilities with results expected in the coming weeks.
• Ohio’s federal child care funding was approved this week after a temporary nationwide freeze of Child Care Development Fund payments linked to Minnesota-related fraud concerns.