Bill > H442

This bill aims to ensure the health and safety of children in private child care programs. It proposes the following key provisions: 1. Defines "private child care program" as any program or facility that provides nonresidential custody and care for children under 7 years old (or under 16 with special needs), separate from their parents, as part of a private organized educational system. 2. Requires private child care programs to adopt health and safety policies and have staff complete annual health and safety training provided by the Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC). 3. Directs the DEEC to promulgate regulations on staff-to-child ratios, limits on infants in care, and the imposition of civil fines and sanctions for violations, up to $250 per violation. 4. Requires the DEEC to provide consultation to assist private child care programs in meeting the new requirements and to review the regulations at least once every 5 years. 5. Mandates that private child care programs notify the DEEC and local school committees when opening or closing their programs. 6. Requires the DEEC to collect and disseminate information on the availability of all child care services, including private programs, to help families make informed choices.