Texas Senate Bill SB1730

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/24/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/5/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/21/09

Caption

Relating to minimum training standards for employees of certain child-care facilities.

Impact

The implementation of SB1730 is expected to lead to significant changes in the operational standards of child-care facilities across Texas. By standardizing training requirements, the bill intends to enhance the quality of care provided to children in these facilities, ensuring that staff are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. The annual training requirements for directors are also increased to 40 hours, highlighting the importance of leadership in maintaining high standards within day-care centers. This legislation may encourage better preparedness among child-care employees, which could positively affect child development outcomes.

Summary

SB1730 aims to establish new minimum training standards for employees of child-care facilities in Texas. The bill amends the Human Resources Code to specify that employees of day-care centers or group day-care homes must complete a total of 40 hours of initial training within the first 90 days of their employment. This initial training requirement is particularly directed towards individuals with no previous training or less than two years of relevant experience. Additionally, it mandates ongoing training, requiring employees to complete 25 hours annually, with a focus on crucial areas such as child growth and development, guidance and discipline, age-appropriate curriculum, and teacher-child interaction.

Contention

While the intent of SB1730 is to improve the training that employees receive in child-care facilities, there may be concerns regarding the financial and administrative burden it places on these institutions. Smaller day-care centers might struggle to cover the costs associated with implementing the required training programs and ensuring compliance. Furthermore, opponents may argue that the bill could result in higher operational costs, which might lead to increased fees for parents relying on these services. Balancing the need for quality care with the operational realities of child-care providers is likely to be a central point of discussion among stakeholders as the bill progresses.