Solomon legislation to improve Keystone STARS passes House

Rep. Jared G. Solomon July 9, 2025 | 3:14 PM

Today, the PA House passed bipartisan legislation authored by state Reps. Jared Solomon, D-Phila., and Tom Mehaffie, R-Dauphin, to improve the Keystone STARS program. Keystone STARS is the rating system by which Pennsylvania families are informed about whether a childcare provider and employees are qualified to keep their children safe – both physically and mentally.

House Bill 1600 would require an update to the Keystone STARS system to allow work experience to count in improving a provider’s STAR ranking.

“Work experience should be counted when childcare employees and providers are evaluated to receive ‘STAR Status,’ Solomon stated. “Hard work and a passion for guiding children and helping them grow must be rewarded.”

“Keystone STARS ratings help families make informed choices about care facilities within their communities. It is a fantastic program in need of updates,” Mehaffie said.

The second component of the bill would encourage childcare providers to educate families about the program, allowing them to advertise their “STARs” on their front doors and websites.

“Parents deserve to know that their children will be safe and have the highest quality of care,” Solomon said.

The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

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