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Minutes for SB312 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Imposing a civil fine for operating a child care facility without a license.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 4, 2020
Chairman Suellentrop opened the hearing on SB312.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor gave an overview of SB312. He answered questions from committee members.
Senator Pat Pettey presented proponent testimony. She stated that SB312 will amend current statutes to give KDHE more authority to deter illegal child care operations and increase the number of licenses and inspected child care facilities in Kansas. She shared the story of seven week old Charlie who died on his second day in an unlicensed daycare home. His parents had been told that the daycare was licensed. If it had been licensed the daycare provider would have been cited for neglect on seven regulations mandated by the state regarding infant safe sleep. (Attachment 2)
Representative Monica Murnan testified that SB312 closes a loophole and creates a stronger safety net for babies, toddler and preschoolers. (Attachment 3)
Reva Wyadis testified in support of SB312. Child care licensing helps to ensure that individuals caring for children have a background check, foundational basic health and safety training, ongoing continuing education and access to ongoing assistance and support. She stated that by passing this bill it would move more providers into the regulated system and give families more child care options. It would also support the current network of already licenses childcare providers. (Attachment 4)
Emily Barnes is a licensed family childcare provider and the advocacy chairperson for the Child Care Provider Coalition of Kansas. She asked for support of SB312 and stated that it would render illegal daycare operations unappealing and cost prohibitive. She said that children are at greater risk when a person does not comply with the law and operate illegally. (Attachment 5)
Questions were asked by committee members.
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
Rebekah Gaston, Director of Policy and Economic & Employment Services, Department of Children and Families (Attachment 6)
Leadell Ediger, Executive Director, Child Care Aware of KS (Attachment 7)
Adrienne Olejnik, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 8)
Christy Schunn, Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network (Attachment 9)
Dr. Dena Hubbard, Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Attachment 10)
Ann Elliott, Family Resource Center (Attachment 11)
Ed Kalas, Plus or Minus 2 Degrees LLC (Attachment 12)
Chairman Suellentrop closed the hearing on SB312.
As there was not enough time left, he asked that the Informational Briefing on Alzheimer's Disease be rescheduled for another day.
Chairman Suellentrop adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next scheduled meeting will be February 5, 2020.
