Committee hears bill to let child care agency waive licensing rules and move family-provider ratios into rulemaking

House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services Chair Hartman opened a public hearing Feb. 20 on House Bill 2814, which would allow the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to waive certain statutory certification requirements for child care facilities when the agency determines health and safety can be assured.

The bill also would move the maximum numbers and age‑group staffing ratios for registered family child care into administrative rulemaking under the Early Learning Council, rather than keeping those numeric limits in statute. Proponents say the change would give DELC flexibility to prevent unnecessary closures and provide options in communities with limited child care.

DELC child care licensing division director Alicia Gardiner told the committee the bill would “align child care statutes across both types, certified and registered” and permit waivers to avoid forced closures when providers submit renewal…