Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that coursework related to psychology shall count toward the semester hours that an early childhood teacher must obtain to be qualified as an early childhood teacher. Provides that, before July 1, 2026, the Department of Children and Family Services shall publish and maintain on its website a full and complete list of courses that qualify toward the attainment of the required qualifications for a child care teacher. Provides that, on and after July 1, 2026, the Department of Early Childhood shall publish and maintain on its website a full and complete list of courses that qualify toward the attainment of the required qualifications for a child care teacher.
House Floor Amendment No. 3: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2027, the Department of Early Childhood shall publish and regularly update, at least once per year, a comprehensive list of college courses that qualify toward the attainment of the required qualifications for an early childhood teacher or director on its website. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2027, the Department of Early Childhood shall create a process to verify courses that qualify toward the attainment of the required qualifications for an early childhood teacher and director in consultation with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, the Illinois Community College Board, the Board of Higher Education, and, until January 1, 2027, the Department of Children and Family Services. Sets forth requirements for the process established under the amendatory provisions. Provides that licensing representatives must be trained on the use of the course list, the prohibitions for the course list, and the impartial oversight review process. Provides that the Department of Early Childhood may, at its discretion, contract with a third party organization that is a recognized industry expert in early childhood development and child care employee credentialing to perform the duties under the amendatory provisions. Provides that the Department of Early Childhood may adopt rules to implement the amendatory provisions.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Defines "institution of higher education". In provisions concerning the public list of qualified courses, provides that, to help the Department of Early Childhood determine whether an institution of higher education's early childhood college courses meet the requirements under the Illinois Administrative Code, each institution of higher education shall submit, in a format and on a time line prescribed by the Department of Early Childhood, information about such courses. Removes advocacy organizations from organizations that the Department of Early Childhood is required to seek input and feedback from regarding the development of a process to verify early childhood courses. Removes provisions permitting the Department of Early Childhood to contract with a third party organization to perform the duties required under the amendatory provisions. Provides that any applicable State staff (rather than relevant licensing representatives) must be trained on the use of the course list, the prohibitions for the course list, and the impartial oversight review process. Makes other changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 225 ILCS 10/3, 225 ILCS 10/9
Engrossed: 225 ILCS 10/9
Enrolled: 225 ILCS 10/9