The bill amends Michigan's child care regulations under 1973 PA 116, aiming to enhance the licensing and oversight of child care organizations. It establishes ad hoc committees for each type of child care organization, ensuring that a majority of members are representatives from affected organizations and parents. The bill mandates that rules cover staff qualifications, safety standards, and children's rights, with a requirement for rules to be reviewed every five years and biennially by the department, including public hearings. Additionally, it introduces criminal history checks for individuals involved in child care, allowing individuals to serve as staff pending these checks if supervised, and provides a process for redetermination for those deemed ineligible due to criminal history.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of licensees and the department in ensuring children's health and safety, requiring licensees to allow access for health and fire inspections, with confidentiality maintained for children's records. It details procedures for child care centers to operate temporarily at unlicensed locations during disasters, including necessary inspections and certifications. Notably, it exempts audio or video recordings provided to the department from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and mandates that child care organizations cease operations at unsafe locations, requiring a new license if they continue to operate at a new site within one year.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 722.112