HB 5977 Summary

• Changes language in child care regulations from "shall" to "must" for grammatical consistency throughout the statute.

• Requires the department to establish ad hoc committees with at least 12 members when formulating or amending child care rules, with a majority consisting of affected organization representatives and parents.

• Provides child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes a 90-day grace period after a rule is promulgated to achieve compliance.

• Mandates biennial departmental review of child care rules with major review by ad hoc committee at least every 5 years, with committees required to hold at least 2 public hearings.