Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise child care laws in Montana by ensuring the confidentiality of information maintained by child care licensees or registrants. The bill emphasizes the importance of providing quality day care to children, particularly in light of the increasing number of working parents. It includes several amendments to existing laws, such as changing the language in Section 52-2-702 to replace "assure" with "ensure" and to clarify the legislative intent regarding the rights and responsibilities of parents. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that require background checks for staff in day-care facilities and mandates that information about children in care be treated as confidential.

The bill also removes certain requirements for local public health authorities, such as conducting inspections and providing training for day-care providers. Instead, it places the responsibility for maintaining records and permitting inspections on the licensees and registrants themselves, while still allowing the department to review these records under specific conditions. Other amendments include clarifying definitions related to child care, updating application processes for licenses and registrations, and establishing standards for day care that prioritize the health and safety of children. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 52-2-702, 52-2-703, 52-2-722, 52-2-723, 52-2-725, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-735, 52-2-737
SB0467_1(1): 52-2-702, 52-2-703, 52-2-722, 52-2-723, 52-2-725, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-735, 52-2-737
SB0467_1(2): 52-2-702, 52-2-703, 52-2-722, 52-2-723, 52-2-725, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-735, 52-2-737
SB0467_1(3): 52-2-702, 52-2-703, 52-2-722, 52-2-723, 52-2-725, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-735, 52-2-737
SB0467_1(4): 52-2-702, 52-2-703, 52-2-722, 52-2-723, 52-2-725, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-735, 52-2-737
SB0467_1: 52-2-702, 52-2-703, 52-2-722, 52-2-723, 52-2-725, 52-2-731, 52-2-732, 52-2-735, 52-2-737