H.B. 159 Enrolled

             1     

REGULATION OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Gregory H. Hughes

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Utah Child Care Licensing Act by amending provisions for
             10      regulation of child care licensing.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines terms;
             14          .    creates the Child Care Center Licensing Committee to regulate and make rules for
             15      center based child care;
             16          .    provides for duties and powers of the Child Care Center Licensing Committee;
             17          .    provides for appointment and membership of the Child Care Center Licensing
             18      Committee;
             19          .    changes the name of the Child Care Licensing Advisory Committee to the
             20      Residential Child Care Licensing Advisory Committee to advise the department of
             21      residential child care; and
             22          .    makes technical changes.
             23      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             24          None
             25      Other Special Clauses:
             26          None
             27      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             28      AMENDS:
             29           26-1-7 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 246


             30           26-39-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 111
             31           26-39-201 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 111
             32           26-39-202 , as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 286
             33           26-39-301 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 111
             34      ENACTS:
             35           26-39-200 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36           26-39-203 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37     
             38      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             39          Section 1. Section 26-1-7 is amended to read:
             40           26-1-7. Committees within department.
             41          (1) There are created within the department the following committees:
             42          (a) Health Facility Committee;
             43          (b) State Emergency Medical Services Committee;
             44          (c) Health Data Committee; [and]
             45          (d) Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program Advisory Committee[.];
             46          (e) Residential Child Care Licensing Advisory Committee; and
             47          (f) Child Care Center Licensing Committee.
             48          (2) The department shall:
             49          (a) review all committees and advisory groups in existence before July 1, 2003 that are
             50      not listed in Subsection (1) or Section 26-1-7.5 , and not required by state or federal law; and
             51          (b) beginning no later than July 1, 2003:
             52          (i) consolidate those advisory groups and committees with other committees or
             53      advisory groups as appropriate to create greater efficiencies and budgetary savings for the
             54      department; and
             55          (ii) create in writing, time-limited and subject-limited duties for the advisory groups or
             56      committees as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the department.
             57          Section 2. Section 26-39-102 is amended to read:


             58           26-39-102. Definitions.
             59          As used in this chapter:
             60          (1) "Advisory committee" means the Residential Child Care Licensing Advisory
             61      Committee, created in Section 26-1-7 .
             62          [(1)] (2) "Child care" means continuous care and supervision of five or more qualifying
             63      children, that is:
             64          (a) in lieu of care ordinarily provided by a parent in the parent's home;
             65          (b) for less than 24 hours a day; and
             66          (c) for direct or indirect compensation.
             67          [(2)] (3) "Child care program" means a child care facility or program operated by a
             68      person who holds a license or certificate issued in accordance with this chapter.
             69          [(3) "Committee" means the Child Care Licensing Advisory Committee, created in
             70      Section 26-39-201 .]
             71          (4) (a) "Center based child care" means, except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), a
             72      child care program licensed under this chapter.
             73          (b) "Center based child care" does not include:
             74          (i) a residential child care provider certified under Section 26-39-402 ; or
             75          (ii) a facility or program exempt under Section 26-39-403 .
             76          (5) "Licensing committee" means the Child Care Center Licensing Committee created
             77      in Section 26-1-7 .
             78          [(4)] (6) "Public school" means:
             79          (a) a school, including a charter school, that:
             80          (i) is directly funded at public expense; and
             81          (ii) provides education to qualifying children for any grade from first grade through
             82      twelfth grade; or
             83          (b) a school, including a charter school, that provides:
             84          (i) preschool or kindergarten to qualifying children, regardless of whether the preschool
             85      or kindergarten is funded at public expense; and


             86          (ii) education to qualifying children for any grade from first grade through twelfth
             87      grade, if each grade, from first grade to twelfth grade, that is provided at the school, is directly
             88      funded at public expense.
             89          [(5)] (7) "Qualifying child" means a person who is:
             90          (a) (i) under the age of 13; or
             91          (ii) under the age of 18, if the person has a disability; and
             92          (b) a child of:
             93          (i) a person other than the person providing care to the child;
             94          (ii) a licensed or certified residential child care provider, if the child is under the age of
             95      four; or
             96          (iii) an employee or owner of a licensed child care center, if the child is under the age
             97      of four.
             98          [(6)] (8) "Residential child care" means child care provided in the home of a provider.
             99          Section 3. Section 26-39-200 is enacted to read:
             100     
Part 2. Child Care Licensing Committees

             101          26-39-200. Child Care Center Licensing Committee.
             102          (1) (a) The Child Care Center Licensing Committee created in Section 26-1-7 shall be
             103      comprised of seven members appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate in
             104      accordance with this subsection.
             105          (b) The governor shall appoint three members who:
             106          (i) have at least five years of experience as an owner in or director of a for profit or
             107      not-for-profit center based child care; and
             108          (ii) hold an active license as a child care center from the department to provide center
             109      based child care.
             110          (c) (i) The governor shall appoint one member to represent each of the following:
             111          (A) a parent with a child in center based child care;
             112          (B) a child development expert from the state system of higher education;
             113          (C) a pediatrician licensed in the state; and


             114          (D) an architect licensed in the state.
             115          (ii) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c)(i)(B), a member appointed under
             116      Subsection (1)(c)(i) may not be an employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state.
             117          (d) At least one member described in Subsection (1)(b) shall at the time of appointment
             118      reside in a county that is not a county of the first class.
             119          (2) (a) Except as required by Subsection (2)(b), as terms of current members expire, the
             120      governor shall appoint each new member or reappointed member to a four-year term ending
             121      June 30.
             122          (b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (2)(a), the governor shall, at the
             123      time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of
             124      members are staggered so that approximately half of the licensing committee is appointed
             125      every two years.
             126          (c) Upon the expiration of the term of a member of the licensing committee, the
             127      member shall continue to hold office until a successor is appointed and qualified.
             128          (d) A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
             129          (e) Members of the licensing committee shall annually select one member to serve as
             130      chair who shall establish the agenda for licensing committee meetings.
             131          (3) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the governor, with the
             132      consent of the Senate, shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired term.
             133          (4) (a) The licensing committee shall meet at least every two months.
             134          (b) The director may call additional meetings:
             135          (i) at the director's discretion;
             136          (ii) upon the request of the chair; or
             137          (iii) upon the written request of three or more members.
             138          (5) Three members of the licensing committee constitute a quorum for the transaction
             139      of business.
             140          Section 4. Section 26-39-201 is amended to read:
             141           26-39-201. Residential Child Care Licensing Advisory Committee.


             142          (1) (a) [There is established the] The Residential Child Care Licensing Advisory
             143      Committee [to] created in Section 26-1-7 shall advise the department on rules made by the
             144      department under this chapter for residential child care.
             145          (b) The advisory committee shall be composed of the following [13] nine members
             146      who shall be appointed by the executive director:
             147          (i) two child care consumers;
             148          (ii) [two] three licensed residential child care providers;
             149          (iii) one certified residential child care provider;
             150          [(iv) five representatives of licensed child care center programs;]
             151          [(v)] (iv) one individual with expertise in early childhood development; and
             152          [(vi)] (v) two health care providers.
             153          (2) (a) Members of the advisory committee shall be appointed for four-year terms,
             154      except for those members who have been appointed to complete an unexpired term.
             155          (b) Appointments and reappointments may be staggered so that 1/4 of the advisory
             156      committee changes each year.
             157          (c) The advisory committee shall annually elect a chairman from its membership.
             158          (3) The advisory committee shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as
             159      determined by the executive director, the chairman, or three or more members of the
             160      committee.
             161          (4) Five [Seven] members constitute a quorum and a vote of the majority of the
             162      members present constitutes an action of the advisory committee.
             163          Section 5. Section 26-39-202 is amended to read:
             164           26-39-202. Members serve without pay -- Reimbursement for expenses.
             165          A member of the Residential Child Care Licensing Advisory Committee and the Child
             166      Care Center Licensing Committee may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's
             167      service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses [in accordance with] as allowed in:
             168          (1) Section 63A-3-106 ;
             169          (2) Section 63A-3-107 ; and


             170          (3) rules made by the Division of Finance [pursuant] according to Sections 63A-3-106
             171      and 63A-3-107 .
             172          Section 6. Section 26-39-203 is enacted to read:
             173          26-39-203. Duties of the Child Care Center Licensing Committee.
             174          (1) The licensing committee shall:
             175          (a) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
             176      make rules that govern center based child care as necessary to protect qualifying children's
             177      common needs for a safe and healthy environment, to provide for:
             178          (i) adequate facilities and equipment; and
             179          (ii) competent caregivers considering the age of the children and the type of program
             180      offered by the licensee;
             181          (b) make rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter that govern center
             182      based child care, in the following areas:
             183          (i) requirements for applications, the application process, and compliance with other
             184      applicable statutes and rules;
             185          (ii) documentation and policies and procedures that providers shall have in place in
             186      order to be licensed, in accordance with Subsection (1);
             187          (iii) categories, classifications, and duration of initial and ongoing licenses;
             188          (iv) changes of ownership or name, changes in licensure status, and changes in
             189      operational status;
             190          (v) license expiration and renewal, contents, and posting requirements;
             191          (vi) procedures for inspections, complaint resolution, disciplinary actions, and other
             192      procedural measures to encourage and assure compliance with statute and rule; and
             193          (vii) guidelines necessary to assure consistency and appropriateness in the regulation
             194      and discipline of licensees;
             195          (c) advise the department on the administration of a matter affecting center based child
             196      care;
             197          (d) advise and assist the department in conducting center based child care provider


             198      seminars; and
             199          (e) perform other duties as provided under Section 26-39-301 .
             200          (2) The licensing committee may not enforce the rules adopted under this section. The
             201      department shall enforce the rules adopted under this section in accordance with Section
             202      26-39-301 .
             203          Section 7. Section 26-39-301 is amended to read:
             204           26-39-301. Duties of the department -- Enforcement of chapter -- Licensing
             205      committee requirements.
             206          (1) With regard to [child care programs] residential child care licensed or certified
             207      under this chapter, the department may:
             208          (a) make and enforce rules to implement this chapter and, as necessary to protect
             209      qualifying children's common needs for a safe and healthy environment, to provide for:
             210          (i) adequate facilities and equipment; and
             211          (ii) competent caregivers considering the age of the children and the type of program
             212      offered by the licensee;
             213          (b) make and enforce rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, in the
             214      following areas:
             215          (i) requirements for applications, the application process, and compliance with other
             216      applicable statutes and rules;
             217          (ii) documentation and policies and procedures that providers shall have in place in
             218      order to be licensed, in accordance with Subsection (1)(a);
             219          (iii) categories, classifications, and duration of initial and ongoing licenses;
             220          (iv) changes of ownership or name, changes in licensure status, and changes in
             221      operational status;
             222          (v) license expiration and renewal, contents, and posting requirements;
             223          (vi) procedures for inspections, complaint resolution, disciplinary actions, and other
             224      procedural measures to encourage and assure compliance with statute and rule; and
             225          (vii) guidelines necessary to assure consistency and appropriateness in the regulation


             226      and discipline of licensees; and
             227          (c) set and collect licensing and other fees in accordance with Section 26-1-6 .
             228          (2) The department shall enforce the rules established by the licensing committee for
             229      center based child care.
             230          [(2)] (3) Rules made under this chapter by the department or the licensing committee
             231      shall be made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             232          [(3)] (4) (a) The licensing committee and the department may not regulate educational
             233      curricula, academic methods, or the educational philosophy or approach of the provider.
             234          (b) The licensing committee and the department shall allow for a broad range of
             235      educational training and academic background in certification or qualification of child day care
             236      directors.
             237          [(4)] (5) In licensing and regulating child care programs, the licensing committee and
             238      the department shall reasonably balance the benefits and burdens of each regulation and, by
             239      rule, provide for a range of licensure, depending upon the needs and different levels and types
             240      of child care provided.
             241          [(5)] (6) Notwithstanding the definition of "qualifying child" in Section 26-39-102 , the
             242      licensing committee and the department shall count children through age 12 and children with
             243      disabilities through age 18 toward the minimum square footage requirement for indoor and
             244      outdoor areas, including the child of:
             245          (a) a licensed residential child care provider; or
             246          (b) an owner or employee of a licensed child care center.
             247          [(6)] (7) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a)(i), the licensing committee and the
             248      department may not exclude floor space used for furniture, fixtures, or equipment from the
             249      minimum square footage requirement for indoor and outdoor areas if the furniture, fixture, or
             250      equipment is used:
             251          (a) by qualifying children;
             252          (b) for the care of qualifying children; or
             253          (c) to store classroom materials.


             254          [(7)] (8) (a) A child care center constructed prior to January 1, 2004, and licensed and
             255      operated as a child care center continuously since January 1, 2004, is exempt from the licensing
             256      committee's and the department's group size restrictions, if the child to caregiver ratios are
             257      maintained, and adequate square footage is maintained for specific classrooms.
             258          (b) An exemption granted under Subsection (7)(a) is transferrable to subsequent
             259      licensed operators at the center if a licensed child care center is continuously maintained at the
             260      center.
             261          [(8)] (9) The licensing committee and the department shall develop, by rule, a five-year
             262      phased-in compliance schedule for playground equipment safety standards.
             263          [(9)] (10) Nothing in this chapter may be interpreted to grant a municipality or county
             264      the authority to license or certify a child care program.


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