SB1239: Legislators Say No to Help for Small Day Care Providers

Proposed exemption for small child care homes fails to pass

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Photo byMyriams-Fotos

What did SB1239 want to accomplish?

SB1239 wanted to change the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act by adding a new rule.

It says that family child care homes that are open for 30 hours or less each week would not have to follow all the usual licensing requirements.

This change would have made it easier for smaller, more flexible child care providers to operate without needing a full license, which could help families find more child care options that fit their schedules.

Who would have benefited from this law?

✔️Family child care providers: Small child care providers who operate for 30 hours or less each week will not have to meet all the strict licensing rules, making it easier for them to run their business.

✔️Parents: Families who need part-time or flexible child care will have more options available. This could be helpful for parents who work part-time, have unusual schedules, or just need occasional help with child care.

✔️Children: Kids in these part-time care settings will still have access to a safe, caring environment, even though the providers won’t have to follow every licensing rule.

What are some concerns people might have about this law?

Some of these may be reasons why the bill didn't pass:

⚠️Less Regulation: With fewer licensing requirements, there might be less oversight, which could affect the quality and safety of care provided. Parents might have less assurance about the standards of these smaller, less regulated child care options.

⚠️Inconsistent Quality: Without full licensing, the quality of care might vary more widely between providers. This could make it harder for parents to find high-quality child care that meets their expectations.

⚠️Potential for Abuse: The relaxation of licensing requirements could be misused by some providers, potentially leading to unsafe or inadequate care situations.

⚠️Impact on Larger Providers: Larger child care centers that do follow all the licensing requirements might face unfair competition from smaller providers who are not held to the same standards.

This bill was introduced on 2/14/24 by Senator Warren Hamilton [R] and Representative Jim Olsen [R]. Due to a lack of support, missed deadlines, committee action, leadership decisions or veto, this bill failed to pass and will not be signed into law.

➡️Is this something that you think Oklahomans need? How would it have benefited the county you live in?

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