SB 239
Modifying ratio of children at family child care facilities
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill modifies the regulations for family child care facilities in West Virginia. It clarifies which types of child care programs are exempt from licensing requirements, including kindergarten programs, occasional care arrangements, summer recreation camps, and certain medical facility care. The bill also requires family child-care homes and out-of-school time programs to register with the department and maintain updated evacuation plans to ensure the safety of children. Finally, it clarifies the ratio of staff to children in family child care facilities.
Key provisions
- Exempts certain types of child care programs (kindergartens, occasional care, summer camps, medical facilities, family care for relatives, juvenile detention facilities, out-of-school time programs meeting specific criteria, private schools recognized by the WV Department of Education) from licensing requirements.
- Requires family child-care homes and out-of-school time programs to register with the department and annually.
- Mandates that family child care facilities develop and maintain written evacuation plans, including procedures for notification and reunification.
- Requires child care services to update evacuation plans annually and provide copies to parents and local emergency management officials.
- Specifies that family child care facilities must include all children under 10 years old in staff-to-child ratios.
- Addresses foster care placement requirements for residential child-care centers.
- Authorizes the secretary to issue emergency rules regarding facility surveys.
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