Raised Bill No. 137 seeks to enhance child care safety and oversight in Connecticut by implementing recommendations from the Office of Early Childhood. The bill establishes the Early Childhood Cabinet, expanding its membership from ten to eleven by adding a pediatrician appointed by the Governor. It also modifies the Connecticut Smart Start competitive grant program, increasing the maximum annual grant for operating expenses from $5,000 to $6,500 per child and from $75,000 to $97,500 for each preschool classroom. Additionally, the definition of "day camp" is revised to clarify operational requirements, and new provisions are introduced for youth camp licensees to provide contact information for emergency notifications.

The bill further strengthens the licensing and approval processes for family child care homes by allowing the Commissioner of Early Childhood to deny licenses to individuals over eighteen with certain felony convictions. It introduces comprehensive background checks for child care providers every five years and raises the age threshold for household members in family child care homes from sixteen to eighteen. New notification requirements mandate that licensed child care centers and family child care homes inform the commissioner of any criminal convictions or placements on the child abuse and neglect registry, with penalties for non-compliance. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, with specific provisions for emergency notifications starting on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-530