S.B. No. 1275 aims to regulate child-care facilities known as "crisis nursery facilities," which provide temporary care for children voluntarily placed by parents or legal guardians during family crises. The bill introduces a new definition for crisis nursery facilities in the Human Resources Code and specifies that these facilities are exempt from certain licensing requirements. Additionally, it amends existing regulations to include crisis nursery facilities among those that must adhere to specific safety and operational standards.

The bill mandates the executive commissioner to adopt rules governing crisis nursery facilities, which will include regulations on child-care licensing, safety requirements, capacity based on facility size and children's needs, and routine financial monitoring. It also allows for the filing of complaints against these facilities and requires regular inspections, particularly when complaints arise. Importantly, the bill stipulates that a child cannot stay at a crisis nursery facility for more than 72 consecutive hours, although this limit does not apply to residential child-care facilities that offer similar services. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Human Resources Code 42.002, Human Resources Code 42.041 (Human Resources Code 42)