[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6343707,"mediaKeyId","2251792-f6b9930bd6bd3091651ef6be3e7ebd79","parentId",2251792,"title","Lawmakers weigh pilot to let licensed family childcare homes serve up to 12 children","audioSeconds",1951,"startMs",12399000,"endMs",14350000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251792-f6b9930bd6bd3091651ef6be3e7ebd79&start=12399&end=14350","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251792-f6b9930bd6bd3091651ef6be3e7ebd79/thumbnail_12399000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6343707/Connecticut/Lawmakers-weigh-pilot-to-let-licensed-family-childcare-homes-serve-up-to-12-children","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343707-99910ff5c2d07b7f895e0a9bcd2e4ed8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207338&Signature=cib1dJL1AxvTdIfZFRiGlXCPOt68H3OHTUn9Pm-5A6unRn5tBOn2fjP5KWuU82eiwF6-hw5XkYBpWzOUHbt7gEhOVCAsGq0nYPyzC9B9S2ULmsw-Ow4ypmVplVnh0JN4pePe1XnJhdFNdVm6asaiZLuT3GvRy0ZERpzffxBy6x8zYF0EwPQn67LGrqx~QUnxotx9qSi~on3lKyqrJpxYKa846pKgn5PQlkXM-e5rxDIc79DPwzw-0B4WDIo8t2rLKaioNkBMecTuP7CIMTyD5WkdPnms9PhrVJwtWainIN0T4IlSo-moJ0OKMGm6Uq2DxDThdl1P3DsHtJwaaBFJkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Connecticut State Legislature","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Providers, child‑care advocates and business groups urged the Children Committee to pass a pilot program that would allow licensed family‑childcare homes to increase capacity — helping to address Connecticut’s persistent shortage of infant‑toddler slots.

Representatives of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, All Our Kin, Child Care for Connecticut and unionized family‑childcare providers told legislators that allowing qualified family providers to serve up to 12 children with a certified assistant would quickly expand local supply without new buildings or large capital costs.

“Often the only thing keeping family childcare providers from expanding is a zoning, fire marshal or group home licensing process,” said Merill Gay of the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. “A pilot that lets providers expand inside their existing homes can add slots fast and preserve local, flexible care.”

Providers said conversion to a formal group‑home license — the current path to serving more children — is expensive and time consuming. Several providers described paying architects and municipal fees when they tried to change to a group license. “I had to spend $14,000 and go through traffic and septic studies,” said provider Dora Ramos of Stamford. “The pilot would allow me to serve more children without moving.”

The Office of Early Childhood told lawmakers it supports testing a large family‑childcare model as a pilot and emphasized the need to retain health and safety standards. Commissioner Beth Bye said OEC already inspects licensed family‑childcare homes annually and that a pilot would let the agency design safeguards and local approval steps that match group‑home requirements.

Business groups framed the move as an economic recovery tool. CBIA pointed out a 11,000‑slot shortfall for children under 3 and said increasing home‑based capacity helps parents return to work. Child advocates and municipalities described “childcare deserts” in parts of the state, particularly rural and some urban neighborhoods.

Several witnesses called for accompanying changes: higher provider reimbursement rates, technical assistance for providers to meet larger capacity safely, and inclusion of family providers in any OEC planning process. Legislators flagged the need for a time‑limited pilot with clear metrics and a pathway to permanent regulation if successful.

No vote was taken; sponsors said they would consult with OEC and provider groups to draft pilot language and implementation details for committee markup.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/6 Committee on Children Public Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","A broad coalition of family‑childcare providers, business groups and early‑childhood advocates urged the legislature to pilot a program letting licensed family‑childcare homes increase capacity to as many as 12 children with a qualified assistant to quickly add infant‑toddler slots without new construction.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6343714,"DCF warns bill letting juvenile petitions finish after 18 would strain system",406,1129000,1535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251792-f6b9930bd6bd3091651ef6be3e7ebd79&start=1129&end=1535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251792-f6b9930bd6bd3091651ef6be3e7ebd79/thumbnail_1129000.jpg","/articles/6343714/Connecticut/DCF-warns-bill-letting-juvenile-petitions-finish-after-18-would-strain-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343714-5231c6e7cd33c167c54fbb209b73c008/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207338&Signature=BkNl3b~fngjEa-8ups-q72Tf6QOKTfeUNK-FuGaBvDT6DRUgt-r8vU-~z~-luOIA63~54oj4vO-Lj-1un4M47SRhVRb5mMAoujXAs36OL1xjX~lLFMk040luJoCJ~IacecXQdM0KlFeIlkTGMFvOB7uj1y~eQXTiuRU0lD7ozshFz0PPtnwUgTJATqLc5ef6jkT012kICFz826KjgZC3qKHp2NKTw-Tx8Or0TJdLPd71KwhP8BV8QeSExXazI0obbO766lRCzUE~06e8AnJCg-LOyKujjRq9bc4uLD4xoYkHGYiM7Kb6xPu~zoAHYLEH6zOW2pLYwrrDFLKFrQQ8oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Children and Families told the legislature it opposes Senate Bill 1215, saying the bill would let juvenile courts adjudicate neglect, abuse or uncared-for petitions that were filed before a child’s 18th birthday even if the proceedings finish afterward.

DCF Commissioner Jody Hill Lilly told the Committee on Children the proposal “has several legal and fiscal concerns” and could “result in a substantial resource problem for our child protective service system.”

The bill would amend the current definition of “child” in Connecticut’s juvenile statutes so the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters could finish adjudication and disposition of petitions that were filed while the alleged victim was under 18. Lilly said the department already files petitions for older youth and typically works with courts to resolve those before the youth turns 18. “Approximately 100 17‑plus year olds have neglect, abuse, or uncared for petitions filed on their behalf in juvenile courts annually,” she said, and the agency already provides services post‑majority for youth committed before they turn 18.

But Lilly and DCF General Counsel Susan Hamilton warned the committee of unintended consequences. Hamilton said juvenile adjudication and disposition are structured around the child’s needs, and that commitment to DCF carries guardianship consequences the agency cannot easily apply to adults. Lilly said the change could mean “adults entering care in addition to the growing services post‑majority population we already serve,” creating new placement and staffing pressures.

Committee members and DCF staff discussed alternatives, including improved coordination with the judicial branch to expedite hearings for 17‑year‑olds so adjudication occurs prior to majority. DCF also stressed coordination with adult service agencies — Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Department of Developmental Services — for older youth who need ongoing care, but said those systems do not substitute for juvenile court commitments in many cases.

Lilly and Hamilton repeatedly urged the committee to weigh the placement and staffing effects. “The primary purpose of the proposed language is to permit the court to commit an adult over the age of 18 to the care and custody of and guardianship of DCF, which will further tax an already overburdened child welfare system,” Lilly said.

Committee members asked for data and options for compromise; DCF said it will work with the chairs and judicial partners on changes that can protect children while limiting system strain. For now, the agency asked that any statutory change be accompanied by a careful implementation plan and likely additional resources.","The Department of Children and Families told the Committee on Children that Senate Bill 1215 — which would allow juvenile courts to finish abuse and neglect proceedings filed before a child’s 18th birthday even if adjudication occurs after they turn 18 — could overwhelm an already strained child welfare system.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6343711,"Bill to require family‑childcare providers to notify parents about firearms draws split testimony",7046,3486000,10532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2251792-f6b9930bd6bd3091651ef6be3e7ebd79&start=3486&end=10532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2251792-f6b9930bd6bd3091651ef6be3e7ebd79/thumbnail_3486000.jpg","/articles/6343711/Connecticut/Bill-to-require-familychildcare-providers-to-notify-parents-about-firearms-draws-split-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343711-23a2df118095b7687f00a16cec58bddc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207338&Signature=j7qrWQC~Z5hblRXAPVan8qaEhRZfvqAMV0xtgI49YNCT6-Rhw3djRXboylcvwHJ--UEXX8Zo2ZvvQf8eXS-ytTRZhKKZN9CVrYCltR4i6POVeH7ErLObCKRJ9tp8GL9nYBhxsREygCAypDyLDKc8yzsR478aT7tV4BqvdElz9faL4Z0T0k-vjGS0WD5lzcB7cOBhrwo73vLo7yzQdTKQi5wbrzKwKJA2pMUD8AqVeNsRncQ60D5tvEUAD3S--T6o0fL21pGMjeXK11OcyB3YFMGTYxHGI6gfXB90WlWee~dJg3i9vZWK20-2DD6YHDP6unUI9EvdZ195ZVo20E~~gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A bill that would require operators of licensed family‑childcare homes to provide written notice to parents when firearms are kept in the home drew sharply divided testimony at the Committee on Children public hearing.

Representative Liz Linehan, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure is meant to put information in parents’ hands and reduce stigma by requiring a simple written notice. “It’s really about putting the power in the hands of parents and just giving them the information that they need to keep their kids safe,” she said during the hearing.

Supporters — including some parents and advocacy groups — argued the measure increases transparency and helps families choose care that fits their comfort level. Tara Volpe, a former early‑childhood professional who testified in favor, said the requirement “simply allows consumers to be better informed.”

Opponents included many licensed family‑childcare providers, trade groups and civil‑liberties advocates who said the state already enforces locked‑storage rules through licensing inspections and that the additional disclosure requirement would invade providers’ privacy and risk harm. Matthew Strasser, a licensed provider, told the committee mandatory disclosure would “jeopardize my reputation and my safety.” Several providers said the required notice could be misused by criminals or lead to lost business and stigmatize lawful gun owners.

Commissioner Beth Bye of the Office of Early Childhood testified she supports the intent of notifying parents that firearms are present, but recommended narrowing the bill. Bye said state licensing already requires firearms and ammunition to be stored in locked, separate locations and that failure to do so can prompt emergency action by OEC. She recommended removing language that would allow license revocation solely for failure to provide written notice and urged a corrective‑action approach in most cases.

Legal advocates noted the bill would not prohibit firearms in homes; it would only require a notice. Debate centered on whether notice improves safety or simply singles out lawful firearm owners. Some legislators pressed providers on whether signage would actually deter accidents; providers said that storage, not signage, prevents incidents.

The committee did not take a vote; members said they would consider amendments to narrow the requirement and to address providers’ privacy and safety concerns.","Rep. Linehan’s bill would require family‑childcare operators to provide written notice to parents if firearms are stored in the home. Supporters said parents have a right to know; opponents — including many providers — said the rule invades privacy, could endanger providers and is unnecessary because licensing already enforces safe storage.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers weigh pilot to let licensed family childcare homes serve up to 12 children

DCF warns bill letting juvenile petitions finish after 18 would strain system

Bill to require family‑childcare providers to notify parents about firearms draws split testimony