BILL NUMBER: S2671

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to posting child
day care provider qualifications on the office of children and family
services' website

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To provide child care providers with the opportunity to publicize their
participation in quality enhancing training programs, and to provide
parents with greater knowledge of available child care programs.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill would authorize child care providers to submit
to OCFS any additional education or trainings related to the provision
of child care that they have completed. OCFS would be required to post
such information online.
              

Section two sets an immediate effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Currently, parents can view basic and limited information about a child
care provider on the OCFS website. This information includes contact
information, program type and capacity, whether the facility can admin-
ister medications, whether non-traditional hours are offered, and if
there are uncorrected violations and enforcement actions that were
taken. Parents are encouraged to follow up with the provider for any
relevant updated information. Selecting a child care provider is one of
the most important decisions that working parents face% In order to make
this decision, parents should be equipped with a comprehensive overview
of the providers' qualifications. By posting a child care provider's
trainings online, the provider is also given the opportunity to publi-
cize such accomplishments.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-14: S 6710/A8923 Referred to Children and Families
2015-16: S.742 Passed Senate/A.1864 Passed Assembly; Vetoed on 11/28/16
2017-18 S.1840 Referred to Social Services

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.