CHILDCARE FACILITY LICENSING ACT
What changed between versions
New Child Care Facility Licensing Act requiring all child care facilities to obtain a license or register with the department, with provisions for cease-and-desist orders for unlicensed operations.
New fee structure for licensing applications up to $1,000 per facility, with fees deposited into a recurring account for compliance investigations.
New application requirements for early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs including staff qualifications, curriculum descriptions, and plans for supporting children with special needs.
Mandatory annual reporting to the governor and legislature on early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program performance and outcomes.
Requirement for tiered quality rating system with higher payment rates for higher-rated providers to incentivize quality improvement.
Department inspection and investigation powers, complaint procedures with confidentiality protections, and authority to revoke or suspend licenses with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day for non-compliance.
Updated definitions for eligible children in early pre-kindergarten programs, now including children enrolled in Head Start preschool and those eligible for special education services.
Priority given to programs serving communities with Title I schools where at least 66% of children reside in the attendance zone of a Title I elementary school.
Multiple new exemptions to the state procurement code for early childhood services, child care assistance, and various government contracts including those for disability services, tourism, and cultural affairs.
New definitions for child care facility, license-exempt child care facility, and licensee to clarify which facilities require licensing versus registration.
