(March 8, 2023) – Today, the Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Senator Renee Erickson (R-Wichita), held a hearing on Senate Bill 282. The legislation establishes child care licensing requirements relating to license capacity and staff-to-child ratios, eliminates certain license fees and training requirements, permits a 16-year-old staff member to staff a unit with children a minimum of 12 months old without supervision, creates a process for daycare facility licensees to apply for a temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements and authorizes the secretary to develop and operate pilot programs to increase daycare facility availability or capacity. Conferees appearing before the committee included:
Proponents:
- Eric Stafford, Kansas Chamber, revealed survey results suggesting childcare is significantly impacting workforce challenges.
- Sen. Chase Blasi (R-Wichita), shared a personal story about the lack of childcare and a waitlist of one to two years.
- Andrew Wiens, Opportunity Solutions Project, highlighted regulatory reform is needed.
- Darlene Stone, Stormont Vail Health, revealed details concerning the expansion of building blocks and what other states' regulations are in comparison.
- Elizabeth Patton, Americans for Prosperity.
- Allie Devine, Kansas Boys and Girls Club, discussed waiver support and pilot programs.
- Nick Felter, Childcare Center, noted limitations to spots and asked for changes to square footage requirements.
- Jason Watkins, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, expressed his interest in reform from businesses in Wichita.
- Martha Keaton Fairon, Miss Marty's in-home Daycare, highlighted the crisis, how this bill can be a fix for infant care and how Lexie's Law has hurt home daycare providers.
Committee members asked about how ratios impact kids and if there are studies in other states on the impacts. They asked if waivers have been requested, and about the amount of investment companies have to put up in subsidies for sustainability.
Neutral:
- Melissa Rooker, Children's Cabinet Trust Fund, requested additional time to create a unified approach and suggested an interim committee.
Committee members asked about how many proponents have reached out to her, what regulatory changes the agency has requested and where those are.
Opponents:
- Ashley Goss, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said these aren't requested by the childcare community and would like more time to do that. She expressed concern with decreasing continuing education and increasing ratios at the same time.
- Kelly Davydov, Childcare Aware of Kansas, shared that requirements for training cuts are worrisome and expressed concern over 14-year-olds being able to provide care.
- Emily Barnes, Child Care Coalition, expressed concern with ratios.
- Taffany Manes, At Home Play School, expressed concern with ratios.
- Daniel Klassen, Kansas Action for Children, stated this belongs in regulation.
- Logan Jensen, American Federation for Children, shared concerns about needing a more comprehensive approach.
The committee will meet next Thursday, March 9.