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Lawmakers move to make child‑care staffing ratio waiver permanent amid limited uptake
Summary
HB1771 would remove the sunset on a temporary staffing‑ratio waiver. Sponsors said only a handful of centers applied and there have been no complaints; committee advanced the measure by voice vote on consent.
Representative Katie Peddell introduced House Bill 1771 to eliminate the sunset date on a temporary waiver that allows child‑care centers to request slightly higher staff‑to‑child ratios. The waiver originated in a prior bill and was enacted temporarily with a sunset to monitor effects; Peddell said only five applications had been made in the last year, three granted and two withdrawn.
Sponsor rationale and oversight: Sponsors, including Representative D. Simone (vice chair of the interim child‑care committee), told the committee centers use professional judgment to maintain safe ratios and that the waiver has not generated complaints. They argued keeping the waiver option helps centers manage staffing fluctuations without sacrificing safety.
Committee action: The committee moved consent and voice votes on several items; the transcript records motions to pass HB1771 and voice votes in favor. No roll‑call tally is recorded in the transcript.
Next steps: HB1771 was advanced on consent by voice vote; language would make the temporary waiver an ongoing option provided annual notice requirements are met.
