The bill amends the 1973 PA 116, which regulates child care organizations in Michigan, by introducing new definitions and clarifications for terms such as "child care center," "child care organization," and "child care staff member." The updated definition of "child care staff member" specifies that it includes individuals aged 18 and older, detailing their roles and responsibilities in child care settings. The bill also clarifies the types of facilities that qualify as child care centers and outlines exclusions for certain programs, such as religious instruction and specific training programs. Additionally, it modifies the responsibilities of regulatory departments, assigning the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential to oversee licensing for child care centers, while the Department of Health and Human Services will manage child caring institutions and child placing agencies.

Furthermore, the bill addresses family and group child care homes, defining a "family child care home" as a private residence caring for fewer than 7 minor children for less than 24 hours a day, and includes provisions for homes caring for unrelated minor children for more than 4 weeks annually. It introduces the term "licensee designee," which refers to an individual authorized to act on licensing matters, and sets criteria for increased capacity in child care homes, including the requirement of holding a current license and being operational for at least 29 consecutive months. The bill also allows the department to rescind increased capacity if necessary for child welfare, with the option for reapplication after 22 months, ensuring that child care facilities maintain safety and welfare standards while allowing for service expansion under specific conditions.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 722.111