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DHS updates childcare rules, lowers some insurance thresholds and schedules trainings for providers
Summary
The Department of Human Services presented broad amendments to childcare licensing rules — including definitions, monitoring requirements and new abuse/molestation insurance minimums ($100,000 per occurrence/$300,000 aggregate) — and announced virtual and regional trainings for providers to support compliance.
Callen Baggett, assistant commissioner for the Department of Human Services, summarized a multi-page amendment package to childcare licensing rules that agency staff and providers developed over more than one year of stakeholder engagement.
Baggett said the package includes new definitions, monitoring requirements and adjustments to insurance coverage levels. "The amounts in this set of rules are now $100,000 per occurrence and 300,000 in the aggregate," she told the committee. She described consultations with the Central Procurement Office and providers that led to the reduced thresholds from earlier drafts and said DHS will help providers locate appropriate coverage where needed.
Becca (Rebecca) Parkhurst, deputy general counsel at DHS, told the committee the department will host three virtual training sessions December 8–10 and regional in-person sessions in January to walk providers through changes and provide technical assistance. Several legislators raised concerns about out-of-pocket burdens on small providers and asked whether the rule changes would be communicated to parents; DHS said providers typically notify families but the hearings and rulemaking are public and the department will publicize training opportunities.
After discussion the committee moved the rules package with a positive recommendation from both panels.
