Regulating Child Care Center Fees

The bill limits the amount a licensed child care center, family child care home, or substitute placement agency (child care center) may charge for a wait list fee or an application fee to $25.

A child care center shall use a wait list fee or an application fee to cover only the administrative burdens of managing a wait list or processing an application.

A child care center shall credit a deposit fee toward the family's first month of child care if the family secures a position with the child care center.

For transparency and accountability to families, a child care center shall create and publish a policy for establishing fees. Each child care center shall make the information available to families in a clear and understandable format before families apply to and enroll in the child care center. Each child care center shall display the information in a prominent and conspicuous location:

• On the child care center's website, if applicable;
• In the child care center's facility at all times during operational hours; and
• On the child care center's application.

During the department of early childhood's (department) periodic inspections, or if a complaint is filed regarding fees, the department shall review the information in the child care center's policy for establishing fees to confirm the child care center is complying with the law. If the department finds the child care center is not compliant, the child care center has 30 days after the date of inspection to comply. If the child care center does not comply within 30 days after the date of inspection, the department may take further disciplinary action.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)