CHILDCARE INSTITUTION; SAFETY STANDARDS S.B. 839:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 839 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Sarah Anthony
Committee: Housing and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the childcare licensing Act to allow a superintendent of an intermediate school district or local school district to certify that a child care center in a school building of that district met fire safety requirements under the Act. Additionally, the bill would exempt from the Freedom of Information Act a recording provided to the Department of Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential by a licensee during an examination or investigation.
BRIEF RATIONALE
As of 2022, Michigan ranked 39th in the country in labor force participation, with 14% of parents leaving a job due to childcare issues during the first half of 2023. According to testimony before the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services, the relatively low labor force participation ranking is in part because of the State's struggling childcare industry. Schools with childcare centers often must navigate burdensome and duplicate requirements for fire safety and background check standards, which reportedly contribute to the industry's struggles. Accordingly, it has been suggested to reduce the fire safety certification burden by allowing the superintendent to attest, which would improve schools' and childcare centers' cooperation and lower compliance costs specific to childcare centers.
Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill could decrease costs of child care providers located in school buildings by removing the duplication of effort for inspection of health and fire safety. Overall savings would likely be minimal.
Date Completed: 12-12-24 Fiscal Analyst: Nathan Leaman
Cory Savino, PhD
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.