SCHOOL-BASED CHILD CARE - H.B. 4617 (S-4): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4617 (Substitute S-4 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Ken Bradstreet
House Committee: Education
Senate Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised School Code to provide that, beginning July 2, 2002, if a school district or intermediate school district (ISD) operated or contracted for the operation of a before- or after-school program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, the following would apply:
-- The program would have to have at least two adult staff members present whenever children were present, and to comply with specific child-to-staff ratios.
-- The program would have to provide daily activities and relationships that offered opportunities for physical, social, and intellectual development.
-- The program would have to be located at school in facilities comparable to rooms used by pupils during the regular school day.
-- Food service, if provided, would have to comply with the same nutrition requirements that applied to the district.
-- Criminal history checks of employees would have to be made.
-- Staff members would have to be certified in CPR and first aid.
-- The district would have to establish a policy addressing safety procedures.
The proposed child-to-staff ratio would 20 children to one adult for grades K-3 or 25 children to one adult for grades 4-8, or the average pupil-to-teacher ratio during school hours in the district in regular grade K-3 or 4-8 classrooms (as applicable), whichever was less.
By March 1, 2002, the Department of Education would have to develop a model before- or after-school program policy. A district would not have to comply with the model policy but would have to indicate, in its publicity about the program, whether or not it complied.
The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 4619, which would exempt a school-based child care facility or program from requirements of child care licensing Act.
MCL 380.1285a - Legislative Analyst: S. Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State.
If a school district or ISD were currently staffing these programs at higher ratios than the bill would allow, then there could be increased local costs to reduce the ratio to meet the requirements of the legislation. On the flip side, if districts or ISDs were staffing the programs at lower ratios, then cost savings could be realized if the districts or ISDs chose to increase the staff ratio to the ratio specified in the legislation.
In addition, districts or ISDs could face increased costs if they do not currently maintain two adult staffers at all times when children are present, or if programs currently offered do not provide opportunities for the developmental aspects described above. Requiring staff members to be certified in CPR and first aid could result in districts' having to pay higher wages for these individuals, since they would have more skills.
Date Completed: 11-2-01 - Fiscal Analyst: K. Summers-Coty
- M. TyszkiewiczFloor\hb4617
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.