Bill > S03685

This bill aims to protect children's health by establishing new environmental safety requirements for day care centers and Head Start day care centers in New York. The legislation requires the Office of Children and Family Services to consult with environmental and health commissioners before licensing new day care facilities, ensuring they are not located near hazardous sites like industrial facilities, landfills, or areas with toxic contaminants such as radon or lead. The bill mandates that new day care centers must have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that meet industry standards, properly placed air intake vents, pest-prevention design, and radon elimination techniques. Existing day care centers will have one year from their license renewal to meet these new requirements. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health must annually provide information about known environmental hazards to the Office of Children and Family Services. If a new environmental hazard is identified near an existing day care center, the facility creating the hazard will have 90 days to remediate the issue without risking the center's license. The underlying intent is to create safer, healthier learning environments that protect children from potential environmental health risks.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3685