Senate committee hears testimony on S.119 to license early‑childhood educators, with multi‑year transition plan

Senate Committee on Government Operations members on Tuesday heard extended testimony on S.119, a bill to create a state licensure program for early‑childhood educators and a new board within the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR).

Committee members were told the bill would regulate individual educators — not private family arrangements for two or fewer families — and would establish three credential levels (ECE 1, 2 and 3) tied to certificate, associate and bachelor degree thresholds. Supporters said the change aims to raise and standardize educator qualifications and create clearer career pathways.

The bill’s sponsors and witnesses stressed that the proposal focuses on individual accountability and professional standards, while existing child development division (CDD) facility regulation would remain in place. “The proposed licensure structure that you see in S.119 would streamline requirements and it would raise qualifications over time to ensure that individuals have adequate professional preparation to provide quality care and education to young children,” said Jennifer Polan, general counsel for the Office of Professional Regulation.

Why it matters: proponents described three benefits — clearer career pathways for educators, greater predictability for facilities hiring staff, and an enforcement mechanism for misconduct at the individual level. OPR and the secretary of state’s office told the committee that licensing would let the state investigate and sanction individual educators…