Bill > A00612

This bill amends the New York Social Services Law by removing a specific requirement that staff/child ratios for day care facilities cannot be less stringent than existing regulations. The bill allows the Office of Children and Family Services more flexibility in setting staff/child ratios for various types of child care settings, including family day care homes, group family day care homes, school age day care programs, and day care centers. Currently, the law requires the office to establish minimum quality program requirements for child care facilities, which include staff/child ratios. The previous law mandated that these ratios could not be less strict than those outlined in specific New York Code of Rules and Regulations as of January 1, 2000. By removing this constraint, the bill gives the Office of Children and Family Services greater discretion in determining appropriate staffing levels for child care facilities, potentially allowing for more adaptive and context-specific staffing guidelines. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A612