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House adopts substitute to tighten licensing checks for child-service providers
Summary
Members approved a first substitute to House Bill 82 to broaden licensing checks to include owners, directors and governing-body members (and volunteers) for child-care and youth-service providers seeking licensure under Title 62A; the substitute passed the House 68-0 and was referred to the Senate.
The House adopted a first substitute to House Bill 82 on Tuesday that clarifies and tightens licensing for child-care and youth-service providers. Sponsors said the substitute ensures that owners, directors and "members of the governing body" as well as volunteers (excluding parents of enrolled children) must be identified to licensing authorities and may be subject to fingerprint or background checks.
Representative David M. Jones and other sponsors explained the change was intended to close a loophole that allowed some individuals to influence or control programs without being subject to the same checks as frontline providers. Members asked whether county-run programs or certain youth programs would be covered; sponsors said the substitute applies to entities seeking licensure under Title 62A and would not automatically include county programs not licensed under that title.
The substitute passed the House without recorded opposition. The Clerk announced first substitute House Bill 82 passed with 68 yes votes and 0 no votes and the measure was referred to the Senate for consideration.
