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Commerce Committee amends and passes childcare regulatory bill, limits school re-inspections and narrows youth-program age definition
Summary
The House Commerce Committee voted to pass HB 2294 after approving two amendments that remove duplicate fire-inspection requirements for school-based youth programs and narrow the bill’s definition of child to exclude 18-year-olds with individualized programs.
The House Commerce Committee voted to pass House Bill 2294, a measure that overhauls childcare regulation and establishes a Kansas Office for Early Childhood, after approving two amendments that narrow the bill's scope on fire inspections and age definitions.
Representative Wasinger, the amendment sponsor, told the committee the first amendment “seeks to clarify that youth development programs and school age programs operating in schools that comply with the applicable fire code are not subject to additional fire inspection.” The amendment responds to concerns that the bill's language could require duplicate fire inspections for school-based programs. The committee approved the amendment by voice vote after Representative Laura Williams seconded it; the chair announced, “Ayes have it.”
The second amendment, also offered by Representative Wasinger and seconded by Representative Sutton, deleted language that would have classified persons aged 18 with individualized education programs as “children” under the bill. Wasinger said the change reflects federal reimbursement rules: “One of the problems with doing any of these childcare programs for a child over the age of 18 is that the federal government will no longer reimburse you for anything that you're doing,” and the amendment clarifies the statute so participants in youth-development programs must be under age 18. The amendment passed by voice vote.
After the two amendments were adopted, Vice Chair Turk moved the committee to pass HB 2294 out favorably “as amended.” Representative Laura Williams seconded the motion. The chair called for the voice vote; members responded “Aye,” and the chair declared the motion passed. Committee discussion during work session included brief policy explanations from staff about the bill’s creation of a transition period for a new Kansas Office for Early Childhood and statutory regulatory changes for daycare centers.
Recorded roll-call tallies were not provided in the hearing transcript; committee action was recorded as voice votes with the chair announcing outcomes. The committee indicated it would finish pending business in subsequent meetings as needed and adjourned.
