HB277 Alabama 2017 Session

Under existing law, the term day care center is defined as a child care facility that receives more than 12 children for daytime care. The term includes child care centers, day nurseries, nursery schools, pre-kindergartens, kindergartens, and play groups, including those that are operated as part of a private school if they provide care for more than four hours a day.

Also under existing law, child care facilities that are part of a church or nonprofit religious school are exempt from licensing by the Department of Human Resources.

This bill would establish the Child Care Safety Act.

This bill would revise the definition of day care center to include preschools.

This bill would remove the exemption from licensure for child care facilities that are part of a church or nonprofit religious school by requiring such facilities to be licensed by the Department of Human Resources.

This bill would clarify that the licensing of a faith-based child care facility may not be construed to infringe upon the rights of the facility to teach or practice a religion.

This bill would also revise the criminal history background information check required for certain individuals.

Relating to child care facilities; to amend Sections 13A-6-29, 38-7-2, 38-7-3, 38-13-2, and 38-13-3, Code of Alabama 1975; to establish the Child Care Safety Act; to revise the definition of day care center to include preschools; to remove the exemption from licensure by the Department of Human Resources of preschool programs that are part of a church or nonprofit religious school; to clarify that the licensing of a faith-based child care facility may not be construed to infringe upon the rights of the facility to teach or practice a religion; and to revise the criminal history background information check required for certain individuals.