The proposed bill enacts the Child Care Facility Licensing Act in New Mexico, establishing a regulatory framework that requires all child care facilities to obtain a license from the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. The bill grants the department the authority to conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and enforce compliance through sanctions, including the potential revocation or suspension of licenses. It also allows license-exempt child care facilities to register with the department to access federal child care assistance programs. Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions related to child care, specifies application requirements for early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten services, and imposes civil penalties for violations, which can reach up to $10,000 per day.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of the New Mexico Statutes to enhance early childhood education programs, emphasizing access to high-quality early childhood programs for all young children, including those with disabilities. It establishes the need for universal and free early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs, updates definitions for "eligible child" and "eligible provider," and introduces a mixed delivery programming model for funding distribution. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in implementing these programs, mandates cooperation with the public education department, and specifies requirements for licensed early childhood care programs, including health and safety standards and staff qualifications. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 32A-23-2, 32A-23-3, 32A-23-4, 32A-23-6, 32A-23C-1, 32A-23C-2, 32A-23C-3