The bill amends the existing child care licensing and regulation laws in Michigan, specifically sections 5d and 5n of 1973 PA 116. Key changes include the requirement for child care organizations to conduct criminal history background checks on individuals before making a conditional offer of employment. The language has been updated to replace "person" with "individual" throughout the text, emphasizing the focus on individual accountability. Additionally, the bill mandates that child care organizations shall not pass along the costs of these background checks to applicants or employees, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on those seeking employment in child care.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the procedures for criminal history checks for individuals applying for or renewing licenses to operate child care facilities. It requires comprehensive checks, including reviews of disciplinary actions, national sex offender registry searches, and state criminal registries. The bill also stipulates that individuals who have resided outside the U.S. in the past five years must provide equivalent clearances from those countries, if available. Importantly, it establishes a process for individuals deemed ineligible due to criminal history to request a redetermination, ensuring transparency and fairness in the licensing process.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 722.115