Bill > SB359

This bill requires individuals who will have direct contact with children in certain child care facilities to undergo a criminal history records check, with "applicant" defined as anyone seeking such a position, including volunteers, and "child care facility" referring to those under a specific family law article. The State Department of Education will establish a centralized unit to manage these checks, which will notify applicants of their status within 10 days and their eligibility for child care services within 45 days of submission, provided the information is received from the "central repository," which is the criminal justice information system. This information is confidential and can only be used for authorized purposes, though the centralized unit can share an applicant's name and status with the facility they seek to work at and the applicant themselves. Additionally, the bill lowers the age requirement from 3 to 2 years old for probationary employment qualifications for first-time child care teachers in centers serving preschool or school-age children.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0359?ys=2026RS