Committee approves HB 188 to let two families share a nanny for up to four children

The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted to approve House Bill 188, an amendment to childcare licensing law that allows a single caregiver to serve two families and up to four children without becoming a licensed child‑care facility.

Representative Yin, sponsor of HB 188, told the committee the change is narrow and intended to align statute with common family practices. “If you're watching over 2 up to 2 families, up to 4 children, with no more than 2 of them under the age of 2, you can have a nanny,” Yin said, summarizing the bill’s guardrails.

The Department of Family Services staff described their role and said the department was neutral and available to answer implementation questions. Roxanne O’Connor, support services senior administrator at DFS, clarified existing exemptions under current law: a caregiver for a single family is already exempt regardless of headcount, and an individual caring for two unrelated children is also exempt. O’Connor confirmed HB 188 would allow a caregiver to serve two families (up to four children) without licensing.

Community witnesses told personal stories about access gaps. Micah Richardson of the Wyoming Women’s Foundation described how a sudden childcare closure in DuBois left families scrambling, and she said the bill’s limited exception could help remote communities bridge care gaps. “We really like that this is a kind of simple solution, especially in these emergency situations,” Richardson said. A parent who testified, Abigail Beaudawain, described high costs for hiring a full‑time nanny and said sharing a nanny could reduce expenses and increase options for parents.

The bill’s text includes a cap tied to existing licensing thresholds; DFS staff reminded the committee that licensing and stricter rules typically apply once a caregiver looks after five or more children. Committee members from both parties praised the bill’s limited scope as a practical step to ease access where families share caregiving.

Vote and next steps

The committee approved HB 188 by roll call. The clerk reported the vote as 8 yeas, 0 nays and 1 excused. Representative Yen, the sponsor, was advised to be ready to present the bill on the House floor.

Ending

Committee members said HB 188 is a narrow, practical fix intended to reduce legal uncertainty for families and caregivers who already share nanny services. Department of Family Services staff will be available to advise on implementation as the bill moves to the floor.