The bill aims to establish alternative requirements for child care providers in underresourced areas, specifically targeting rural counties identified as child care deserts. It mandates the creation of an annual list of these counties by the department, defining a "child care desert" as a county with a significant number of children under five years old lacking adequate child care providers. Additionally, the bill requires the department to contract with a nonprofit to develop an instructional handbook for child care providers, covering essential topics such as health, safety, and instructional fundamentals. Providers in designated counties can be exempt from obtaining an early childhood education certificate if they read the handbook and submit signed attestations.

The bill also amends existing regulations regarding licensing standards for child care facilities. It introduces specific group size and staff-to-child ratio requirements for child care centers in the identified counties, ensuring a maximum group size of 21 for preschoolers and 31 for school-age children, along with minimum space requirements per child. Furthermore, it stipulates that the department must provide 24 hours' notice before inspecting facilities in these counties, enhancing the operational flexibility for child care providers in underresourced areas.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.216.250, 43.216.255, 43.216.290