Relating to licensing requirements of the Department of Family and Protective Services for certain facilities and homes providing child care.
Impact
The bill's provisions would potentially ease regulatory burdens on various child care programs, promoting an increase in accessible care options for children attending prekindergarten through grade six. By allowing certain programs to operate without stringent licensing requirements, SB773 facilitates the establishment of more flexible child care solutions, particularly in areas where there is a high demand for after-school services. Furthermore, this act would recognize specific educational programs and camps as exempt from the usual licensing processes, thereby encouraging more organizations to offer such essential services.
Summary
SB773 aims to amend the Human Resources Code regarding the licensing requirements imposed by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) for child care facilities. Specifically, it introduces a definition for 'before-school and after-school program' that allows flexibility for educational institutions to offer care outside of regular school hours. By doing so, it broadens the scope of services that these facilities can provide while remaining compliant with state regulations. The bill seeks to address the growing need for child care options that extend beyond traditional school hours, especially for working parents.
Contention
While proponents of SB773 argue that the bill fosters greater access to child care and supports working families, there may be concerns about the adequacy of oversight regarding health and safety standards in these child care environments. Critics might express apprehension that relaxing licensing requirements could lead to inconsistencies in care quality or put children at risk if proper standards are not maintained. Assessing the effectiveness of the proposed changes could become a focal point in legislative discussions, particularly regarding the balance between regulatory oversight and service availability.
Identical
Relating to licensing requirements of the Department of Family and Protective Services for certain facilities and homes providing child care.
Relating to the licensing of child-care facilities providing care to certain unaccompanied children and the suspension of laws relating to the licensing of those facilities; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the regulation of child-care facilities and registered family homes, including the provision of services to children with disabilities or special needs.
Relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to certain procedures in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship for a child placed in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services and the provision of family preservation services and community-based foster care.
Relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Relating to criminal history record information and certain registry information accessible to certain educational and child-care entities and information required for employment in certain child-care facilities.
Relating to criminal history record information and certain registry information accessible to certain educational and child-care entities and information required for employment in certain child-care facilities.
Relating to an independent assessment of the Health and Human Services Commission's and the Department of Family and Protective Services' rules, minimum standards, and contract requirements that apply to certain residential child-care providers.