Senate Bill 364 aims to update the regulations surrounding family and group child care centers in Wisconsin. The bill modifies the current licensing requirements by allowing the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to authorize licensed child care centers to care for a greater number of children. Specifically, it changes the definition of a family child care center to accommodate care for four to 12 children, up from the previous limit of eight, and establishes that a group child care center can provide care for 13 or more children, replacing the previous threshold of nine. Additionally, the bill amends the associated licensing fees to reflect these changes.

The bill also includes provisions for training requirements for child care providers, ensuring that all staff and volunteers who care for infants receive training in preventing sudden infant death syndrome. It mandates that the DCF update its rules to align with the new definitions and requirements for child care centers. Furthermore, the bill requires the DCF to amend existing administrative codes to harmonize with the new definitions of family and group child care centers, ensuring that the regulations are consistent across the board.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 48.65(3)(a), 48.65, 66.1017(1)(a), 66.1017