Outdoor Nature-Based Preschool Programs
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2024 Regular Session |
| Subjects |
Concerning including outdoor nature-based preschool programs as a type of child care center in the department of early childhood for licensing-related matters, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
Bill Summary:
The act includes outdoor nature-based preschool programs (outdoor programs) as a type of licensed child care center (center) in the department of early childhood (department) for licensing-related matters. No later than December 31, 2025, the executive director of the department shall promulgate rules for centers operating as outdoor programs. The rules must include, but are not limited to:
- Land-use agreement requirements for outdoor programs operating on public or private land;
- Policies for site-specific alternative shelter plans;
- Policies for site-specific risk mitigation plans;
- Policies for site-specific emergency and disaster preparedness plans;
- Policies for site-specific evacuation plans; and
- Policies and procedures for outdoor programs to opt out of certain department requirements through the site-specific risk mitigation plan.
The act requires the department to provide training to licensing staff who oversee outdoor program site inspections and, beginning December 1, 2026, to outdoor program operators and staff.
The department shall collaborate with local fire departments on fire prevention and protection requirements for outdoor programs and with the department of public health and environment on sanitary standards for outdoor programs.
The act requires the general assembly to appropriate $30,000 from the child care licensing cash fund to the department for the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 fiscal years to implement the outdoor programs.
The act appropriates $179,569 to the department for purposes of licensing outdoor programs. The appropriation consists of $149,569 from the general fund and $30,000 from the cash fund.
The act appropriates $35,341 to the department of public health and environmentfor environmental health programs related to outdoor program licensure.
APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2024
EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/23/2024 | PA1 |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer Senate Bill 24-078 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-4. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer Senate Bill 24-078 to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 10-1. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.002 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.003 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment J.002 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 24-078, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 9-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer Senate Bill 24-078 to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 5-2. | Vote summary |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/07/2024 | Third Reading | BILL |
53
AYE
10
NO
2
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/26/2024 | Third Reading | BILL |
26
AYE
9
NO
0
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/25/2024 | L.005 | Second Reading | Passed [**] | |
| 04/23/2024 | J.002 | SEN Appropriations | Passed [*] | |
| 04/23/2024 | L.003 | SEN Appropriations | Passed [*] | |
| 04/23/2024 | L.002 | SEN Appropriations | Passed [*] | |
| 04/23/2024 | L.001 | SEN Appropriations | Passed [*] |
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 06/06/2024 | Governor | Governor Signed |
| 05/16/2024 | Governor | Sent to the Governor |
| 05/16/2024 | House | Signed by the Speaker of the House |
| 05/16/2024 | Senate | Signed by the President of the Senate |
| 05/07/2024 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 05/06/2024 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 05/03/2024 | House | House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 05/01/2024 | House | House Committee on Education Refer Unamended to Appropriations |
| 04/26/2024 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Education |
| 04/26/2024 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/25/2024 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor |
| 04/23/2024 | Senate | Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 02/05/2024 | Senate | Senate Committee on Education Refer Unamended to Appropriations |
| 01/22/2024 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education |
Prime Sponsor
Sponsor
Co-Sponsor
| Effective Date | Chapter # | Title | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/07/2024 | 441 | Outdoor Nature-Based Preschool Programs |