Maryland House Bill HB376

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/22
• Refer: 1/19/22

Caption

Outdoor Preschool License Pilot Program - Establishment

Impact

The bill outlines specific objectives, including increasing the availability of affordable, high-quality early learning programs while prioritizing rural, urban, and suburban areas that lack sufficient licensed child care options. The pilot program will select between five to ten existing nature-based programs in its first year and may adapt existing child care licensing requirements to accommodate outdoor learning settings. It is designed to last for three years, with interim reports due to the governor and General Assembly to evaluate the pilot's progress.

Summary

House Bill 376 establishes the Outdoor Preschool License Pilot Program in Maryland, aiming to expand access to outdoor, nature-based early learning and child care programs. The program intends to license these types of facilities and assess the potential benefits of outdoor learning environments for young children. Under the newly created subtitle in the Education Article, the Maryland Department of Education will administer the program and may convene an advisory group to support its implementation.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the adaptation of the existing child care licensing requirements, with concerns that such adaptations could undermine established safety and quality standards. Advocates for outdoor education are expected to support the initiative, arguing for its potential positive impact on child development, while critics may question the effectiveness and oversight of such a program within conventional child care frameworks. The success of the pilot program will likely hinge on how well it balances accessibility and safety within nature-based education.