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Bill would delay public posting of family provider correction orders until reconsideration period ends
Summary
Representative Mueller introduced House File 18‑97 to change how correction orders for family child care providers are made public, proposing summaries instead of full letters and timing that allows reconsideration before posting. Family provider advocates supported the change; committee adopted an amendment and laid the bill over.
Representative Jennifer Mueller presented House File 18‑97 to modify public posting practices for correction orders issued to family child care providers. The bill would prohibit posting the full correction order letter online until the 20‑day reconsideration period has elapsed (or until reconsideration concludes), require a summary rather than the full letter on the public licensing lookup site, and align the online posting duration with federal requirements (reducing the current four‑year posting to the federal standard).
Mueller said family provider letters can be inflammatory, sometimes listing minor past issues, and that letters are posted online before providers can request reconsideration; she noted centers currently have a more protective reconsideration flag on the lookup site. The proposal would still require providers to post correction orders at their physical sites, while the lookup would show a concise summary.
Cindy Cunningham, a licensed family child care provider and public policy chair for Leading Care, testified in support and said inconsistent county licensing practices and the “first in, first belief” dynamic can unfairly stigmatize providers when letters are made public. Cunningham said the proposal would reduce stigma and help retain providers who otherwise leave out of fear of public condemnation.
The committee adopted a DE1 amendment to get the bill in author preferred form and the author requested a fiscal note; the committee later laid the bill over for further consideration. Members discussed federal posting length (the sponsor and staff referenced a three‑year federal standard) and expressed general support for balancing transparency with fairness to providers.
