ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2451: child care; staff ratios

Sponsor: Representative Osborne, LD 13

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Clarifies the definition of what may be considered a staff member for the purposes of the required ratio of staff members to children or infants for applicable childcare facilities, providers and services.

History

The Department of Health Services must prescribe reasonable rules regarding the health, safety and well-being of children being cared for in childcare facilities. The rules must include standards for the following: 1) adequate physical facilities for the care of children; 2) adequate staffing per number and age groups of children by persons qualified by education or experience to meet their respective responsibilities in the care of children; and 3) activities, toys and equipment to enhance the development of children; 4) nutritious and well-balanced food; 5) encouragement of parental participation; and 6) exclusions of any person from the facility whose presence may be detrimental to the welfare of children (A.R.S § 36-883).

For a childcare facility with resting infants, the ratio of staff members to resting infants in the resting area must be at least one staff member per four infants. A staff member in the resting area must be supervised for the first 90 days of their employment to ensure compliance with floor bedding rules, and any staff member in the resting area must have current certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid (A.R.S. § 36-883.05).

The Department of Economic Security (DES) must adopt rules to implement childcare services including: 1) criteria for certifying childcare home and in-home providers; 2) criteria for childcare assistance eligibility determinations; and 3) Criteria for operating childcare resources, referral services and suspending and terminating referrals to participating childcare providers. A childcare home provider compensated to look after four or fewer children, and who is not otherwise licensed or certified by DES or DHS, must register with DES if the childcare home provider wishes to be listed with the childcare resource and referral system. DES must adopt rules to carry out the registration requirements for childcare home providers (A.R.S. §§ 41-1967.01, 46-809).

Provisions

1. Clarifies that for the purposes of any ratio of staff members to children, a person whether paid or unpaid who is at least 18 years old and has a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency must be considered a staff member for childcare facilities, childcare home providers and DES rules regarding childcare services (Sec. 1, 3, 4)

2. Defines a staff member as for the purposes of the ratio of staff members to resting infants, a person whether paid or unpaid who is at least 18 years old and who has a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. (Sec. 2)

3. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 4)

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7. HB 2451

8. Initials AG/JB Page 0 Health & Human Services

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