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Bill would let local officials set occupancy for childcare in part‑use buildings to ease rural openings
Summary
Senate Bill 5,655 would require building officials to calculate occupancy load based only on areas used by a childcare center when a center operates inside a multi‑use existing building; sponsors and local building and fire officials said the change would reduce cost barriers for rural providers while preserving life‑safety inspections.
Senate Bill 5,655 would direct building officials to calculate a childcare center’s occupancy load using only the space the childcare occupies when a center operates in an existing building with more than one use.
Sponsor Senator Deb Krishadossen told the Senate Education Committee the change is meant to make it financially feasible to open childcare centers in community spaces such as churches and other civic buildings, especially in rural areas with few available options. “Families struggle not only with the cost, but the availability for safe, reliable childcare facilities,” Krishadossen said. She said current occupancy calculations that treat the entire building as the center’s footprint can make required sprinkler systems and other upgrades…
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