Meeting Public Comments

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HF 2198

A bill for an act relating to child care center minimum age requirements for employees and staff-to-children ratios, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 539.) Effective date: 07/01/2022, 06/16/2022.

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Johnson-CH, Jochum, Rowley

Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: Room 217 Conference Room

Comments Submitted:

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The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

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03-09-2022

E.J. Wallace [Save the Children Action Network ]

While we appreciate changes to this bill, we are still concerned about how focusing on loosening rules on qualifications and experience for child care providers, regardless of the child's age, would decrease overall quality of child care choices for families. We are also concerned what liability this may open the business owner to if minors are allowed to observe children unsupervised in a child care setting. Investing state resources in longterm wage increases or adjusting regulations that do not reduce quality would be better approaches to child care staff shortages and improving family child care choices.

03-09-2022

Miranda Niemi [Quality Beginnings Inc]

There are two main reasons why 16 year olds should not be left alone unsupervised with children: 1. 16 year olds do not have the experience, training or education to be able to think on their feet if a situation arises. Early care and education is a profession and one that needs to be treated as such. Our job is important and families relay on early care and education programs to keep their children safe throughout the day while also teaching them. 16 year olds do not have that ability yet. They still need to be under supervision to ensure that the program is still providing quality programming for the children and families. 2. I contacted West Bend who is the company that holds my liability insurance. I was told by the underwriter that they would not insure me if I had a 16 year old in a classroom caring for children without supervision of someone over the age of 18. I was told, "This has been brought to our attention and our stance is no, minors and children is a difficult combination and not one we are interested in pursuing. If the state passes this, we would not be able to offer coverage for any childcare that allows minors under 18 years old to watch children alone. By passing this into law, you are jeopardizing the liability insurance for centers who will take the risk that nothing will happen and it will be okay, until it is not. The minute that a 16 year old is left alone and something happens, the insurance company will not cover the accident and it opens up the program owner to legal and civil action.I understand that finding people to work in the early care and education field right now is difficult. However, lowering the age that a person can be alone while caring for children is not the answer. You are lowering the quality of the programs that children need to thrive. The solution to the child care workforce shortage is to increase wages and benefits with sustainable funding.

03-09-2022

Donna Godar []

I am very concerned about this bill. While it is worthwhile to offer opportunities to younger people to explore professions, they are not mature enough to supervise young children in a quality child care situation unsupervised. The numbers are larger than they would experience babysitting (child care is NOT babysitting), and they don't have training to handle difficult situations. They need supervision.