Changes In Child Care Laws This Month
August 29, 2019
Last month, Governor Mike Parson signed House Bill 397 which modifies current laws to protect children in child care settings. The Missouri General Assembly passed this bill during the last legislative session and it contains numerous provisions that will impact children and child care facilities and aim to prevent tragic incidents from occurring. These changes, which will go into effect on Aug. 28, include the following:
· For unlicensed child care providers, the total number of children in care was increased from four to six, including a maximum of three children who are under two years of age. Children who live in the home and who are five years old and older will not be included in the total number of children in care. All other children will be included in the total number of children in care.
· For licensed child care facilities, all children, including related children, will count in the license capacity, regardless of facility ownership.
DHSS is now provided with the explicit authority to deny an application for licensure if the child care facility is located within 1,000 feet of a location where a person required to register as a sex offender resides or regularly receives treatment or services, excluding those provided by a hospital.
· For unlicensed child care providers, the total number of children in care was increased from four to six, including a maximum of three children who are under two years of age. Children who live in the home and who are five years old and older will not be included in the total number of children in care. All other children will be included in the total number of children in care.
· For licensed child care facilities, all children, including related children, will count in the license capacity, regardless of facility ownership.
DHSS is now provided with the explicit authority to deny an application for licensure if the child care facility is located within 1,000 feet of a location where a person required to register as a sex offender resides or regularly receives treatment or services, excluding those provided by a hospital.