The bill, introduced by Representative Gonzlez, aims to enhance the regulation of child-care facilities and registered family homes, particularly focusing on the provision of services for children with disabilities or special needs. Key amendments to Section 42.042 of the Human Resources Code include the introduction of new standards that prohibit discrimination based on race or disability status, while allowing facilities to deny services to children with disabilities only under specific conditions outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, the bill mandates that child-care centers promote inclusive practices and provide access for certified childhood intervention service providers to support children with special needs.

Further provisions include the requirement for child-care facilities to maintain comprehensive records, including those for children with special needs, and to provide parents with written disclosures about early childhood intervention resources and the facility's policies regarding care for children with disabilities. The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission is tasked with adopting necessary rules to implement these changes, with the bill set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Human Resources Code 42.042, Human Resources Code 42.045 (Human Resources Code 42)