The bill amends West Virginia Code §49-2-113 to exempt child-care programs operated by county boards of education exclusively for the children of their employees or students from certain licensing requirements. This new provision allows these programs to operate without the same regulatory oversight as other child-care facilities, while still ensuring that the State Board of Education can propose rules to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the children enrolled in these programs. The bill adds this exemption as a new subsection (10) and removes the previous subsection (9) that pertained to private, parochial, or church-operated educational programs.

In addition to the exemption, the bill maintains existing requirements for various child-care facilities, including the need for licensing, certification, and registration for other types of child-care services. It also emphasizes the importance of having a written evacuation plan for licensed child-care services, detailing procedures for emergencies and ensuring that staff are trained and prepared. Overall, the bill aims to streamline regulations for specific educational child-care programs while still prioritizing child safety and welfare through the establishment of rules by the State Board of Education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-2-113
Committee Substitute: 49-2-113
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 49-2-113