CT HB05218

Expands comprehensive background check requirements for child care workers to include all persons 18 years or older in child care centers, group homes, and family child care homes who have contact with or unsupervised access to children, effective October 1, 2020.

Raises the age threshold for household members in family child care homes subject to background checks from 16 to 18 years old, and requires checks at least once every five years for all child care staff.

Renames the "Nurturing Families Network" to the "Connecticut Home Visiting System" and requires evidence-based home visiting models meeting U.S. Department of Health and Human Services effectiveness criteria, effective July 1, 2020.

Establishes the Office of Early Childhood as the lead state agency for community-based, prevention-focused programs to prevent child abuse and neglect, with responsibility for implementing home visiting services and establishing data collection systems.

Permits special education teachers with relevant endorsements to teach in birth-to-three early intervention programs upon request, and establishes civil penalties up to $1,500 for unlicensed youth camp operations.