Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Childcare Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee adopts substitute to block local governments from imposing additional rules on home‑based child care
Summary
The committee adopted a substitute to Senate Bill 599 that would prevent cities and counties from imposing regulations on in‑home child care that exceed state HHSC licensing and statutory standards.
The Health and Human Services Committee adopted a committee substitute to Senate Bill 599, a bill that would bar local governments from imposing regulations on home‑based child care providers that go beyond rules promulgated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Senator West, the bill’s author, said the measure seeks “regulatory consistency” so home‑based providers are not required to meet additional local fire or capacity standards that the state already addresses. “This bill prohibits local governments from overlaying any additional regulations on home based child care providers aside from those already promulgated by the state,” West said when the committee substitute was laid out. The chair noted a committee substitute was filed and Senator Hancock moved adoption. “Is there objection? Hearing none… the committee substitute for Senate Bill 599 is adopted,” the chair announced.
Invited witnesses urged the committee to approve the change. Megan Morrow of the Texas Association of Business said consistent rules across jurisdictions reduce compliance costs and help workforce participation. A representative from Children At Risk described family child‑care homes as a vital, flexible option — particularly in rural child‑care deserts — and noted Texas has lost a large share of family child‑care homes since 2019.
Committee members thanked the author and left the committee substitute pending for public testimony at later proceedings.
