Senate Bill S6280

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S6280

SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to an exemption
from state licensing for military child day care

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill renumbers subdivision 14 of section 390 of the
social service law as subdivision 15 adds a new subdivision 14.

Part (a) of subdivision 14 provides an exemption from the licensing and
registration provisions of section 390 of the social service law to
child day care home facilities that serve only dependent children of
military and are located on a military base or federal property; or that
are certified as a child development program by the US Department of
Defense or the US Coast Guard.

Part (b) grants responsibility for determining which children may be
served by such child day care facilities to the US Department of Defense
or the US Coast Guard or their agents.
              

Part (c)clarifies that this subdivision does not supersede existing
rights or powers of certain departments or existing building codes or
zoning regulations.

Part (d) ensures that childcare facilities for school age children that
operate before and after school hours in a building which is in use as a
private or public school shall meet local fire, health, and zoning codes
required of school buildings.

Section 2 of this bill establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Recognizing military family child care certification in lieu of New York
State licensing is imperative to address the unique challenges faced by
military families. Military families often relocate frequently due to
deployments or station changes, resulting in difficulties accessing
consistent and reliable childcare services.  Requiring Defense Depart-
ment-certified providers to also obtain state licensing adds unnecessary
bureaucratic hurdles, prolonging wait times for families already under
significant stress. By streamlining this process and acknowledging mili-
tary certification, New York can significantly improve access to child-
care for military families, thereby enhancing their quality of life and
reducing the burden on military personnel.

Moreover, by providing provisional licenses or exempting military-certi-
fied family child care providers from redundant state licensing require-
ments, New York can bolster the economic security of both providers and
military families. Military spouses frequently serve as family child
care providers to supplement household incomes, yet the additional cost
and time associated with obtaining state licenses can deter them from
enter- ing the workforce. Simplifying the regulatory framework for mili-
tary-affiliated childcare providers encourages more spouses to partic-
ipate in the workforce, thereby contributing to their families' finan-
cial stability and overall well-being. By removing barriers to entry for
certified military family childcare providers, New York can actively
contribute to the success of such programs, ensuring that military fami-
lies have access to high-quality, affordable childcare services wherever
they are stationed. Ultimately, recognizing military certification in
lieu of New York State licensing not only benefits individual families
but also strengthens the military community by fostering resilience,
stability, and readiness.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024; Held in Children and Families.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.