This bill amends current child care licensing laws by repealing the scheduled repeal of child care staffing ratios and the associated waiver system. Specifically, it removes the provision that would have eliminated these staffing ratios on December 31, 2026, ensuring that the current regulations remain in effect. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services provide annual notifications to licensed child care providers regarding their option to request a waiver from the established staffing requirements.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new reporting requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services. It requires the department to submit an interim report by November 1, 2025, detailing the number of waivers applied for, granted, and denied. A final report, which was previously set to be a one-time submission, is now required annually, starting November 1, 2026, and continuing thereafter. This change aims to enhance transparency and oversight regarding the waiver process for child care staffing requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 170-E:11
Version adopted by both bodies: 170-E:11
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 170-E:11
HB1771 text: 170-E:11