City outlines transition plan as state assumes childcare licensing under new law

Boise City staff on Tuesday briefed City Council on plans to support local childcare providers during a state takeover of licensing, saying the city will continue local licensing through June 30, 2025, and work to minimize service disruption after House Bill 243a takes effect July 1.

Mayor Callister opened the discussion by saying the legislation removes the city’s local option to license childcare and directed staff to prioritize providers and families during the transition. "We do all we can to take care of people," the mayor said.

Jamie, a city staff member overseeing the transition, told council the legislation — referred to in the presentation as House Bill 243a — will shift licensing responsibilities to the state on July 1, 2025. "House Bill 243a will become effective on July 1, 2025," Jamie said. Staff reported the city had licensed a little more than 200 child care facilities and about 1,900 child care workers as of February; the city’s code compliance team had conducted about…