SB 2575 Amendment Summary

• Amends Section 4.2 of the Child Care Act of 1969 to establish criminal background requirements for child care facility applicants, employees, and adult residents.

• Prohibits individuals convicted of serious crimes including murder, sex offenses, kidnapping, aggravated battery, drug trafficking, and firearms violations from obtaining licenses or working in child care facilities.

• Allows waivers for non-foster child care facilities if the criminal offense occurred more than 5 years prior (or 10 years for drug offenses) and the applicant passes a drug test at least 5 years after a drug conviction.

• Permits relative foster family homes to receive waivers on a case-by-case basis if the conviction occurred more than 10 years prior, was previously disclosed to the Department, the Department had already waived it, and the conviction does not impact the child's safety.

• Adds new subsection (e) allowing Directors discretionary waivers for relative foster homes with children already in placement, with written documentation of the waiver rationale.