Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to amend existing regulations regarding group family day care centers in Minnesota. It focuses on modifying the allowed child-to-adult ratios, age distribution requirements, and licensing procedures for these daycare centers.

Main Provisions

• Child-to-Adult Ratios & Age Limits:

  • Adjusts the child-to-adult ratio for daycare centers based on the total number of children present, setting specific limits on the number of young children and infants that can be included within these numbers.
  • For 10 children: One adult can care for up to 10 children under 11, with no more than eight under age five, and up to two under 12 months.
  • For 12 children: One adult can manage up to 12 children under 11, with up to ten under age five, and up to two under 12 months.
  • For 18 children: Two adults are needed, with up to 16 children under age five, and four under 12 months. A helper might replace a second adult in less demanding scenarios.

• Delegation of Licensing Authority:

  • Allows county and private agencies to manage certain licensing actions and variances, with some authority exceptions retained by the commissioner.
  • Counties must publish and distribute criteria for variances annually.

• Special Licensing and Variances:

  • Introduces requirements for daycare programs held in non-residential settings, specifying that they must meet specific zoning, staffing, and safety requirements.
  • Permits a variance to exceed the standard capacity in special cases, such as during transition periods for working parents, provided certain conditions are met.

• Regulatory Compliance:

  • Requires annual unannounced reviews by county agencies and reports on any significant incidents or licensing issues to the commissioner and state fire marshal.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Increases the maximum allowable license capacity from 14 to 18 children in home-based settings, aligning with more flexible age distribution and caregiving rules.
• Enhances transparency by mandating the public availability and annual dissemination of variance policies by county agencies.
• Establishes regulations for “special family child care homes” or daycare programs conducted outside the license holder's residence, introducing specific criteria for licensing in commercial or non-traditional settings.

Relevant Terms

group family day care, child-to-adult ratios, age distribution, licensing, county agencies, variances, non-residential child care, fire code compliance, capacity variances.