House File 563 - Introduced



                                       HOUSE FILE       
                                       BY  HEATON


    Passed House,  Date               Passed Senate, Date             
    Vote:  Ayes        Nays           Vote:  Ayes        Nays         
                 Approved                            

                                      A BILL FOR

  1 An Act providing for implementation of a voluntary licensure
  2    system for certain home=based child care providers.
  3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
  4 TLSB 1323YH 83
  5 jp/sc/8

PAG LIN



  1  1    Section 1.  Section 237A.12, Code 2009, is amended by
  1  2 adding the following new subsection:
  1  3    NEW SUBSECTION.  6.  The department shall develop and
  1  4 implement a voluntary system for licensing of child
  1  5 development home providers in lieu of registration.  All of
  1  6 the requirements applicable to a registered child development
  1  7 home, including but not limited to the record checks under
  1  8 section 237A.5, shall apply to a child care provider that
  1  9 elects to become a licensed child development home.  However,
  1 10 the requirements may be modified as deemed appropriate by the
  1 11 department to improve quality while protecting the safety of
  1 12 children.  The standards under the voluntary licensing system
  1 13 may include but are not limited to acceptance of a provider's
  1 14 appropriate national accreditation, providing annual and
  1 15 unannounced inspection visits, and requiring elements of the
  1 16 voluntary child care quality rating system under section
  1 17 237A.30.
  1 18                           EXPLANATION
  1 19    This bill requires the department of human services to
  1 20 develop and implement a voluntary system for licensing of
  1 21 child development home providers in lieu of registration.  The
  1 22 requirements applicable to a registered child development home
  1 23 remain applicable but may be modified as deemed appropriate by
  1 24 the department to improve quality while protecting the safety
  1 25 of children.  The bill lists various elements that may be
  1 26 addressed in the standards for licensure.
  1 27 LSB 1323YH 83
  1 28 jp/sc/8