Council Member Shulman introduces bill requiring DOHMH guidance for childcare permit applicants
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Summary
Intro 437-A, sponsored by Council Member Shulman, would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to publish a step-by-step, multilingual guide to all permits, licenses and approvals (under Article 47 of the Health Code) needed to open a childcare program, aiming to reduce regulatory barriers to new childcare seats.
Council Member Shulman introduced Intro 437-A, a bill that would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to create and maintain a clear, step-by-step guide listing every permit, license and approval required under Article 47 of the Health Code for prospective childcare programs. The guide must indicate the sequence in which approvals are needed, be publicly available, regularly updated and accessible in multiple languages, Shulman said. "Opening a child care program in New York City shouldn't feel like navigating a maze," Shulman said, citing recent closures and a shortage of roughly 1,400 childcare facilities as evidence of high demand and insufficient supply.
Shulman framed the bill as a practical step toward expanding childcare access and creating more affordable seats. The Presiding Official endorsed the effort in remarks following the bill’s introduction, linking it to the Council’s broader goal of achieving universal childcare and reducing regulatory burdens that slow new openings. The transcript records the bill’s introduction and support but does not record a final vote or amendments.
