Substitute House Bill No. 5379 mandates that licensed child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes conduct medical emergency drills at least once every six months. This requirement is designed to ensure that all staff members, regardless of their certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or first aid, are prepared for medical emergencies. The bill also introduces similar emergency drill requirements for youth camps, which must be conducted before the camps assume responsibility for campers. The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) commissioner is tasked with incorporating these drill requirements into existing regulations for child care facilities.

In addition to the drill requirements, the bill enhances health and safety standards in child care settings by specifying immunization requirements for children, outlining conditions for administering medications, and mandating the maintenance of written records for any illness or injury that occurs at the facility, which must be provided to parents within one business day. The bill does not delete any existing legal language but adds new provisions to improve safety protocols, with an effective date set for October 1, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to ensure that child care facilities are better equipped to handle medical situations and provide a safer environment for children.

Statutes affected:
KID Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 147: