HB 1145 Summary

• Establishes "Nathan's Law" amending child care licensure requirements to include children related by blood, marriage, or adoption within the third degree in the count of children cared for, with an exception for a provider's own school-age children living in the home.

• Requires all child-care facilities exempt from licensure to disclose their exempt status to parents or guardians of children in their care.

• Increases penalties for violating child care regulations from a fine not to exceed $200 for first offense to class A misdemeanor with fines of $200 per day (maximum $10,000) for subsequent offenses.

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services to immediately close illegally operating unlicensed child-care facilities and empowers prosecutors to seek permanent court orders preventing their operation.

• Establishes "Sam Pratt's Law" allowing the department to investigate exempt child care providers with pending criminal charges and prohibit them from providing care if charges would similarly result in license sanctions for licensed providers; violation is a class B misdemeanor (or class A for subsequent violations).