Mississippi House Bill HB185

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/23
• Refer: 1/4/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Child Care Advisory Council; require child care providers to recommend names of persons to serve on.

Impact

The implementation of HB185 is expected to enhance the accountability and effectiveness of the Child Care Advisory Council. By requiring that child care providers recommend council members, the bill aims to ensure that those who directly engage with child care legislation and its regulations have a significant say in the advisory process. This could potentially lead to more relevant and informed recommendations regarding the licensure and regulation of child care facilities as well as ensuring that regulations align with the needs of both providers and the families they serve.

Summary

House Bill 185 seeks to amend Section 43-20-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 by reforming the composition of the Child Care Advisory Council. This advisory council will now include members that are appointed based on recommendations from child care providers statewide, ensuring that the voices of practitioners in child care are represented in the policymaking process. The council will consist of twelve members evenly split between licensed child care providers and representatives from child care professional organizations, child advocacy groups, and state agencies involved in child care services.

Contention

While HB185 may be well-received by child care providers advocating for their interests, there may be concerns regarding the perceived influence of specific groups or entities on the council. Critics may argue that limiting the appointments to those recommended by child care providers could create an echo chamber that does not account for diverse perspectives, potentially sidelining important viewpoints from the broader community or regions with varying child care needs. Furthermore, tension may arise over how appointments are determined, particularly if there is disagreement on who qualifies as a representative or expert within the child care field.