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State officials propose letting regulations set first‑aid/CPR ratios for school‑age child care
Summary
MSDE told the committee HB 150 would remove a fixed 1:20 statutory ratio for first aid/CPR certified staff and allow the department to set age‑specific ratios by regulation, keeping 1:20 for infants/toddlers and proposing 1:30 for school‑age programs; legislators asked about timing and interim safety requirements.
Maryland State Department of Education officials told the Ways and Means Committee that House Bill 150 would remove the fixed statutory requirement that requires one staff member with first‑aid and CPR certification for every 20 children in licensed child care settings and allow the department to set ratios by regulation.
Dr. Cook, recently departing assistant state superintendent for the Division of Early Childhood, and Tara Phillips, executive director for the division, said the change reflects findings from a school‑age work group and aims to recognize operational differences in programs serving older children. Dr. Cook described the proposal: "The amendment before you today seeks to remove the fixed statutory requirement and instead allow the necessary first aid and CPR certification ratios to be determined by regulation." The department said it would keep the 1:20 ratio for infants, toddlers and pre‑K and proposed a 1:30 ratio for school‑age programs.
Delegate Miller asked whether removing the statutory ratio risked lowering safety expectations; Dr. Cook replied the 1:30 ratio "works well in school age settings" because those children are typically organized in group sizes of 30 and one of the two staff in that group would have CPR/first‑aid certification at all times. Dr. Cook said the department has drafted regulations and submitted them to the Child Care Advisory Council and could begin the promulgation process promptly should the bill pass. When asked if there would be a gap between repealing the statutory ratio and completing the new regulations, Dr. Cook said, "No. The safety requirement would stay in place and it would remain, a 1 to 20 ratio in all child care settings."
Committee members asked about timeline and implementation; the department said regulations are drafted and the promulgation process timing can vary. Several members urged keeping clear statutory protections for younger children and ensuring that any regulatory approach would not reduce safety.
Ending: The hearing closed with department staff offering to answer follow‑up questions; no committee action was taken at the hearing.
