HB2687 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 08820 RJF 53909 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2687

Introduced , by Rep. Margo McDermed

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 3933/10
20 ILCS 3933/13 new
225 ILCS 10/3	from Ch. 23, par. 2213

Amends the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Provides that at least 50% of the persons appointed to the Illinois Early Learning Council shall represent privately-owned day care centers. Provides that any policy change or policy consideration of the Council shall, before being adopted, be provided to all licensed child care providers in this State in an electronic format allowing such providers a vote on the policy issue. Provides that any policy developed by the Council shall be adopted only upon receiving a majority approval of the child care providers notified of the proposed measure. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that in addition to meeting the requirements of the Act or any specified administrative rules concerning qualifications for early childhood teachers and school-age workers, an early childhood teacher responsible for a group of children that includes infants, toddlers, or preschool-age children shall show proof of enrollment in an accredited college or university in which he or she is working towards or has achieved at least 6 hours of college credit related directly to early child care studies. Provides that showing proof of enrollment or completion in an accredited college or university of up to at least 6 semester hours of college credit related to early child care studies shall satisfy both the semester hours and clock hours requirements to be an early childhood teacher. Provides for specified personnel of a child care facility to be present at the open and close of the facility.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Early Learning Council Act is amended by changing Section 10 and by adding Section 13 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3933/10)

Sec. 10. Membership. The Illinois Early Learning Council shall include representation from both public and private organizations, and its membership shall reflect regional, racial, and cultural diversity to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois children. At least 50% of the persons appointed to the Council shall represent privately-owned day care centers. One member shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and other members appointed by the Governor. The Governor's appointments shall include without limitation the following:

(1) A leader of stature from the Governor's office, to serve as co-chairperson of the Council.

(2) The chief administrators of the following State agencies: State Board of Education; Department of Human Services; Department of Children and Family Services; Department of Public Health; Department of Healthcare and Family Services; Board of Higher Education; and Illinois Community College Board.

(3) Local government stakeholders and nongovernment stakeholders with an interest in early childhood care and education, including representation from the following private-sector fields and constituencies: early childhood education and development; child care; child advocacy; parenting support; local community collaborations among early care and education programs and services; maternal and child health; children with special needs; business; labor; and law enforcement. The Governor shall designate one of the members who is a nongovernment stakeholder to serve as co-chairperson.

In addition, the Governor shall request that the Region V office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families appoint a member to the Council to represent federal children's programs and services.

Members appointed by General Assembly members and members appointed by the Governor who are local government or nongovernment stakeholders shall serve 3-year terms, except that of the initial appointments, half of these members, as determined by lot, shall be appointed to 2-year terms so that terms are staggered. Members shall serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(20 ILCS 3933/13 new)

Sec. 13. Policy development. Any policy change or policy consideration of the Council shall, before being adopted, be provided to all licensed child care providers in this State in an electronic format allowing such providers a vote on the policy issue. Any policy developed by the Council shall be adopted only upon receiving a majority approval of the child care providers notified of the proposed measure.

Section 10. The Child Care Act of 1969 is amended by changing Section 3 as follows:

(225 ILCS 10/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 2213)

Sec. 3. (a) No person, group of persons or corporation may operate or conduct any facility for child care, as defined in this Act, without a license or permit issued by the Department or without being approved by the Department as meeting the standards established for such licensing, with the exception of facilities for whom standards are established by the Department of Corrections under Section 3-15-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections and with the exception of facilities defined in Section 2.10 of this Act, and with the exception of programs or facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Substance Use Disorder Act.

(b) No part day child care facility as described in Section 2.10 may operate without written notification to the Department or without complying with Section 7.1. Notification shall include a notarized statement by the facility that the facility complies with state or local health standards and state fire safety standards, and shall be filed with the department every 2 years.

(c) The Director of the Department shall establish policies and coordinate activities relating to child care licensing, licensing of day care homes and day care centers.

(d) Any facility or agency which is exempt from licensing may apply for licensing if licensing is required for some government benefit.

(e) A provider of day care described in items (a) through (j) of Section 2.09 of this Act is exempt from licensure. The Department shall provide written verification of exemption and description of compliance with standards for the health, safety, and development of the children who receive the services upon submission by the provider of, in addition to any other documentation required by the Department, a notarized statement that the facility complies with: (1) the standards of the Department of Public Health or local health department, (2) the fire safety standards of the State Fire Marshal, and (3) if operated in a public school building, the health and safety standards of the State Board of Education.

(f) In addition to meeting the requirements of this Act or any rules adopted under Section 407.140 of Title 89 of the Administrative Code concerning qualifications for early childhood teachers and school-age workers, an early childhood teacher responsible for a group of children that includes infants, toddlers, or preschool-age children shall show proof of enrollment in an accredited college or university in which he or she is working towards or has achieved at least 6 hours of college credit related directly to early child care studies.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 407.140 of Title 89 of the Administrative Code, showing proof of enrollment or completion in an accredited college or university of up to at least 6 semester hours of college credit related to early child care studies shall satisfy both the semester hours and clock hours requirements to be an early childhood teacher.

(g) A director-qualified individual of a child care facility shall be present at the open and close of the facility. A teacher-qualified individual that has been employed by the facility continuously for at least 24 months may otherwise be present.

(Source: P.A. 99-699, eff. 7-29-16; 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)