The Department of Labor and Industry reported earlier this year nearly 70,000 Montana parents could not work full time last year due in part to their lack of childcare.

It’s the first forward action the 10-member committee that includes seven Republicans has taken on addressing childcare and Montana’s workforce, one of the committee’s tasks during the interim.

In March, the committee rejected a proposal from Rep. Jonathan Karlen, D-Missoula, to craft a package of bills for next year’s legislative session that would include expanding the eligibility for Montana’s childcare scholarship program, implementing childcare tax credits for parents and providers; and exploring trust accounts and public-private partnerships.