Texas Senate Bill SB81

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 11/10/08
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/9/09
• Voted on by Senate: 3/19/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/12/09

Caption

Relating to certain providers of subsidized child care.

Impact

If enacted, SB81 would significantly affect the existing landscape of child care services in Texas, particularly those that operate without formal licensing. With the new requirements, care providers will have to comply with rigorous safety checks that will help in filtering out individuals who may pose a risk to children. Additionally, the bill facilitates a structured and efficient process involving the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of Family and Protective Services in administering these checks, thereby enhancing collaboration between state agencies.

Summary

SB81 introduces regulations concerning providers of unregulated self-arranged child care in Texas. The bill mandates that any individual providing subsidized child care, particularly those funded under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, must undergo background and criminal history checks, ensuring the safety of the children under their care. This legislation aims to enhance oversight and accountability for these care providers, which previously operated without formal scrutiny or regulation, potentially risking child welfare.

Contention

Despite the anticipated benefits, the bill may face opposition from some community members and advocacy groups who argue that such stringent regulations could limit access to child care for families relying on informal care options. There are concerns that this might disproportionately affect lower-income families who utilize family members or neighbors as caregivers. Critics might argue that the costs associated with complying with these new regulations could be prohibitive, thereby creating barriers rather than ensuring safety.

Enforcement

To ensure compliance, the bill also outlines procedures for regular audits of providers and stipulates that all child-receiving families must be informed of these background check requirements before selecting their caregivers. This not only empowers parents with information regarding provider safety but also creates legal accountability for unregulated self-arranged child care providers, thereby encouraging continuous monitoring and evaluation of their services.