MD HB1574

State Department of Education must issue a warning (rather than immediate penalties) to child care providers for first-time violations of new rules or regulations within the first year of adoption, with penalties only for subsequent violations

Department must establish a dedicated unit to process criminal history records checks for child care applicants, with acknowledgment within 10 days of application receipt and eligibility determination within 30 days; approved background checks remain valid for 5 years

Child care providers with a published Maryland EXCELS quality rating who violate regulations must enter into compliance agreements with the Department; quality ratings may only be reduced if the provider fails to cure violations or if there was immediate risk to child safety

Child care teachers must complete active supervision training within 90 days of hire and meet experience requirements of no more than 6 months or 750 hours working with young children in a supervisory setting

Establishes a Workgroup to Study Illegally Provided Child Care to examine the scale and impacts of unlicensed child care, barriers to licensure, health and safety risks, and necessary legal changes; interim report due January 1, 2027 and final report due December 1, 2028