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Committee adopts amendment to SB766 requiring registration for short summer programs; amendment and bill reported 14‑12
Summary
The committee adopted amendment A01510 to Senate Bill 766, directing registration for certain part‑day school‑age programs with the Department of Health as organized camps. Debate focused on whether registration and a small fee (reported as $10) would create burdens for municipal and nonprofit programs. The amendment and the bill as amended were reported by 14‑12 votes.
The House Children and Youth Committee adopted amendment A01510 to Senate Bill 766 and voted to report the bill as amended, each by a 14‑12 roll call.
Danielle summarized Senate Bill 766 (printer's number 987), sponsored by Senator Brown, saying it "amends Act 21 of 1967 or the Human Services Code by adding a new subarticle related to a child care center." She listed supporters and groups that were neutral or opposed, including the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (support) and the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, Trying Together, and First Up (opposed).
The introduced amendment, A01510, was summarized by staff as altering attendance‑eligibility rules for part‑day school‑age programs that operate for less than 90 consecutive days and requiring such programs — when they enroll children who will be entering kindergarten — to register with the Department of Health as organized camps. Danielle said the administration supports the bill with the amendment.
Chair Klunk objected to the amendment, saying registration could impose an annual bureaucratic requirement and an added fee on programs and municipalities that run summer offerings. "This amendment has more bureaucratic red tape to programs that don't need it," Chair Klunk said, arguing the change could frustrate the sponsor's intent to expand opportunities for parents.
Representative Boyd asked where any fee was referenced and described municipal experience in which registration enabled programs to secure insurance and continue operating. In response to the question about fee amount, Chair Klunk said registration details were on the Department of Health website and that the fee is "$10." Boyd said the minimal cost and registration could provide access and insurance that allow programs to operate and use spaces that otherwise would not accept them.
The committee adopted amendment A01510 on a 14‑12 roll call. After additional remarks, it then voted to report Senate Bill 766 as amended by the same margin. The clerk recorded that "the bill would be reported as amended." With no further business, the chair adjourned the meeting.
