SF 291 (LSB 1920XS (3) 90)

SENATE FILE 291

BY  WEINER, PETERSEN, CELSI, QUIRMBACH, TRONE GARRIOTT, WAHLS, T. TAYLOR, DONAHUE, DOTZLER, BISIGNANO, KNOX, and BOULTON

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the waiver of certain fees for child care providers participating in the state child care assistance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 237A.4, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   237A.4  Inspection and evaluation.
   1.  The department shall make periodic inspections of licensed centers to ensure compliance with licensing requirements provided in this chapter, and the local boards of health may make periodic inspections of licensed centers to ensure compliance with health-related licensing requirements provided in this chapter.
   2.  The department may inspect records maintained by a licensed center and may inquire into matters concerning these centers and the persons in charge.
   3.  The department shall require that the center be inspected by the state fire marshal or a designee for compliance with rules relating to fire safety before a license is granted or renewed.
   4.  The department or a designee may periodically visit registered child development homes for the purpose of evaluation of an inquiry into matters concerning compliance with rules adopted under section 237A.12.
   5.  Evaluation of child development homes under this section may include consultative services provided pursuant to section 237A.6.
   6.  The department shall not require a fee or payment for an inspection pursuant to this section from a child care provider participating in the state child care assistance program established in section 237A.13.
    Sec. 2.  Section 237A.4A, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  6.  The department shall not require a fee or payment for the licensure of a child care provider participating in the state child care assistance program established in section 237A.13.
    Sec. 3.  Section 237A.5, Code 2023, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  6.  The department shall not require a fee or payment for a record check of personnel employed by a child care provider participating in the state child care assistance program established in section 237A.13.
    Sec. 4.  Section 237A.12, subsection 3, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  a.  Rules relating to fire safety or sanitation for child care centers shall be adopted under this chapter by the state fire marshal in consultation with the department. Rules adopted by the state fire marshal for a building which is owned or leased by a school district or accredited nonpublic school and used as a child care facility shall not differ from standards adopted by the state fire marshal for school buildings under chapter 100. Rules relating to sanitation shall be adopted by the department in consultation with the director of public health. All rules shall be developed in consultation with the state child care advisory committee. The state fire marshal shall inspect the facilities.
   b.  Rules adopted by the state fire marshal and the department shall not require a fee or payment for the inspection of a child care facility owned or operated by a child care provider participating in the state child care assistance program established in section 237A.13.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the waiver of certain fees for child care providers participating in the state child care assistance program.
   The bill prohibits the department of health and human services (HHS) from requiring a fee or payment for an inspection to ensure compliance with child care facility licensing requirements or for the licensure of a child care facility from a child care provider participating in the state child care assistance (CCA) program.
   The bill prohibits HHS from requiring a fee or payment for the record check of personnel employed by a child care provider participating in the CCA program.
   The bill prohibits the state fire marshal and HHS from adopting rules that would require a fee or payment for the inspection of a child care facility owned or operated by a child care provider registered to accept reimbursement from the CCA program.