HB 2259

Bill Subjects

Criminal Procedure Welfare (Social Services)

Abstract

Removes certain programs from the list of child day programs exempt from licensure and clarifies that such programs are not considered child day programs and therefore are not subject to licensure. The bill also modifies the terms of child day programs that remain listed as exempt from licensure and requires that such programs (i) file with the Commissioner of Social Services (the Commissioner), prior to beginning operation of a child day program and annually thereafter, a statement indicating the intent to operate a child day program, identifying the Code provision relied upon for exemption from licensure, and certifying that the child day program has disclosed, in writing, to the parents or guardians of the children in the program the fact that it is exempt from licensure; (ii) report to the Commissioner all incidents involving serious injury to or the death of children attending the child day program; (iii) have a person trained and certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) present at the child day program; (iv) comply with background check requirements established by regulations of the state Board of Social Services (the Board); (v) maintain daily attendance records; (vi) have an emergency preparedness plan in place; (vii) comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing transportation of children; and (viii) post in a visible location notice that the program is not licensed or inspected by the Department of Social Services and only certifies basic health and safety requirements. The bill modifies staffing ratios for religious-exempt child day centers and requires that such centers have a person trained and certified in first aid and CPR present whenever children are in attendance and comply with safe sleep practices for infants established by regulations of the Board. The bill directs (a) the Board to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the bill and (b) the Commissioner to establish a process to inspect child day programs exempt from licensure and a process to gather and track aggregate data regarding child injuries and deaths that occur at such child day programs.