A bill to amend 1973 PA 116, entitled “An act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing and regulation of child care organizations; to provide for the establishment of standards of care for child care organizations; to prescribe powers and duties of certain departments of this state and adoption facilitators; to provide penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 1 and 9 (MCL 722.111 and 722.119), section 1 as amended by 2023 PA 173 and section 9 as amended by 2022 PA 71; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
Senate Bill 694 aims to revise the definitions and standards within the 1973 PA 116, which is the act responsible for the licensing and regulation of child care organizations in Michigan. The bill updates the terminology and criteria for child care staff and organizations, specifying roles, responsibilities, and exclusions for various entities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and adult foster care homes. It introduces detailed definitions for terms like "child caring institution staff member," "child placing agency," and "child care center," among others, and outlines the exclusions for programs operated by religious organizations and other non-child care specific programs.
Significantly, the bill addresses the process for criminal history checks, regulatory responsibilities, and the criteria for ineligibility for licensure, including provisions related to the presence of individuals convicted of certain crimes within child care organizations. It mandates central registry clearance for all staff and volunteers, with specific actions required if a person is named as a perpetrator in a central registry case. The bill also details the process for increasing capacity in family and group child care homes, including criteria for rescinding such increases and the appeal process.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits individuals convicted of child abuse, neglect, or certain felonies from being present in child care organizations and establishes policies for volunteer supervision. It allows for administrative review and reapplication for licensure for those affected by central registry placement, under certain conditions.
The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, contingent on the enactment of Senate Bill No. 692.
Co-sponsored by Sens.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight
Reported with substitute S-1
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Reported with substitute S-2
Substitute S-2 concurred in by voice vote
Passed in the Senate 20 to 18 (details)
Referred to the Committee on Families, Children and Seniors
