CHILDCARE LICENSE; APPEAL & REVIEW S.B. 837:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 837 (as reported without amendment)
Committee: Housing and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the childcare licensing Act to require the Department of Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) to establish a process for a childcaring institution licensee to request a review and appeal of a determination that the licensee violated a rule and the violation did not result in a denial, revocation, or refusal to renew the licensee's license.
BRIEF RATIONALE
As of 2022, Michigan ranked 39th in the country in labor force participation, with 14% of parents leaving a job due to childcare issues during the first half of 2023. According to testimony before the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services, the relatively low labor force participation ranking is in part because of the State's struggling childcare industry. Some believe that the State is not doing enough to address the needs of working parents and childcare providers, reporting that it takes approximately $15,000 annually to provide full-time care for a child under five. Given the need for access to childcare, allowing licensees to review and appeal MiLEAP determinations has been suggested so that childcare centers could work with MiLEAP to maintain licensure and improve their standards.
Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would require MiLEAP to establish a process by which a licensee could appeal a violation. This would not result in an increased administrative cost as the requirement largely codifies existing practices and policies that are already in place.
Date Completed: 12-12-24 Fiscal Analyst: Michael Siracuse
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.