SB 1129 Summary

• Requires criminal history background checks and fingerprinting for applicants and licensees of child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes, with results maintained in an automated fingerprint identification system for automatic notification of subsequent arrests.

• Mandates criminal history checks for all employees and household members before they work with or reside in child care facilities, using the Michigan Department of State Police's ICHAT system and checks of national sex offender registries.

• Establishes specific criminal disqualifications including sex offender registration, felonies involving harm to individuals or crimes against children, and certain misdemeanors; allows consideration of rehabilitation for individuals with prior offenses under defined circumstances.

• Requires child care staff members, licensees, and household members to report within 3 business days when arraigned for or convicted of specified crimes; violations subject to criminal penalties ranging from misdemeanor to felony charges.

• Establishes a 6-month timeline for the department to issue or deny child care licenses after receiving a completed application, with provisions to toll the period during deficiency corrections, and requires refund of application fees if timelines are missed.