HCS/SCS/SB 457 - This act modifies several provisions related to child care, including: (1) a voluntary early learning quality assurance report program; (2) Montessori schools; (3) child care facilities; and (4) nutrition assistance programs.EARLY LEARNING QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT PROGRAM (Section 161.217)
This act modifies the Early Learning Quality Assurance Program from a pilot program to a full program that expires on August 28, 2025, unless reauthorized.
This provision is identical to HCS/HB 1071 (2021).
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS (Section 210.201)
Under current law, Montessori schools are not required to have a child care facility license to operate in the state. This act modifies the definition of a Montessori school to include programs that are either accredited by, actively seeking accreditation by, or maintain an active school membership with the American Montessori Society, Association Montessori Internationale, the International Montessori Counsel, or the Montessori Educational Programs International.
This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed HB 432 (2021).
CHILD CARE FACILITIES (Section 210.211)
This act excludes from the number of children counted toward the maximum number of children for which a family child care facility is licensed up to two children who are five years or older and who are related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to, adopted by, or under court appointed guardianship or legal custody of a child care provider who is responsible for the daily operation of a licensed family child care facility organized as a legal entity in Missouri. If more than one member of the legal entity is responsible for the daily operation of the family child care facility, then the related children of only one such member shall be excluded. A family child care facility caring for such children shall provide notice to parents or guardians as specified in the act. Additionally, nothing in the act shall prohibit the Department of Health and Senior Services from enforcing existing licensing regulations, including supervision requirements and capacity limitations based on the amount of child care space available. Finally, any licensed child care facility receiving funding for a child in the facility's care under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 and not utilizing the exemptions under this provision shall abide by the licensure provision required under state law to receive such funding.
This provision is substantially similar to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 432 (2021), SCS/SB 132 (2021), and the perfected HCS/HB 32 (2021).
This provision grants the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in cooperation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to inspect child care facilities caring for more than 6 children for health and sanitation.
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (Section 210.251)
Under this act, Missouri shall have no stricter requirements than federal regulations for participants in administering the program for at-risk school children through the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. Facilities shall not be required to be licensed child care providers to participate in the program, as long as minimum health and safety standards are met and documented.
This provision is identical to HCS/HB 1337 (2021) and substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 563 (2021).
This act contains an emergency clause for the entire act.
SARAH HASKINS