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Yesterday Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a bipartisan child care reform package of bills. The reforms hope to expand access to quality, affordable childcare, and builds upon the bipartisan budget, that included expanded funding for childcare centers. The package is split in two main topics; regulatory reforms, and expanding access to centers. Two of the three expansion bills look to allow home child care providers to increase their rosters and network. The last bill deals with expanding access for infant and toddler childcare, through establishing family childcare networks through the department of education.
The regulatory reforms include Representative Greg Markkanen’s 90 day health and safety compliance for childcare centers. The other four regulatory bills included in the reform package seek to crack down on bad actors presenting as quality childcare centers. As well as reduce the amount of paperwork required for administration tasks and help centers locate families.
Below is a brief description of each bill, and a link to the full language.
HB 5041 allows home-based child care providers that have a proven record of success to serve more children. A family home provider will be eligible to serve seven children, instead of six. A group home provider will be eligible to serve 14 children, instead of 12. The bills prioritize safety while increasing access to quality child care. HB 5041 was sponsored by Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann. Click here to find bill language.
HB 5043 increases support for home-based child care providers by establishing Family Child Care Networks. These networks will provide technical assistance and support that is tailored for small, home-based businesses. HB 5043 was sponsored by Rep. Kelly Breen, D-Novi. Click here to find bill language.
HB 5044 expands access to child care for infants and toddlers by requiring the Michigan Department of Education to establish family childcare networks in every region of the state to equitably support home-based childcare providers. HB 5044 was sponsored by Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton. Click here to find bill language.
HB 5042 lets quality and caring providers thrive by amending disclosure requirements for child care center applicants, cracking down on bad actors who try and game the system and get out of regulations. HB 5042 was sponsored by Rep. Greg VanWoerkom, R-Norton Shores. Click here to find bill language.
HB 5045 ensures families can more easily access licensing reports for a provider by expanding the type of information LARA is required to compile and make publicly available regarding any special investigation conducted in the last three years for child care centers, family child homes and group child care homes. HB 5045 was sponsored by Rep. Rodney Wakeman, R-Frankenmuth. Click here to find bill language.
HB 5046 gives child care providers at least 90 days to comply with new health and safety rules. HB 5046 was sponsored by Rep. Gregory Markkanen, R-Hancock. Click here to find bill language.
HB 5047 reduces administrative burden on child care providers by allowing their health and safety record to be shared with parents online. HB 5047 was sponsored by Rep. Julie Calley, R-Portland. Click here to find bill language.
HB 5048 helps child care providers locate where families live and work by giving child care providers a safe a path to operate in multi-use buildings.HB 5048 was sponsored by Rep. John Roth, R-Traverse City. Click here to find bill language.
