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HB 3444

CHILD CARE ACT REQUIREMENTS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Belt and 8 co-sponsors

HB 3444 clarifies that on-base day care homes for military dependents, certified by DoD/Coast Guard, are exempt from Illinois licensure and may be monitored by federal authorities.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0308
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Bill Summary · HB 3444

Summary — HB 3444 (Public Act 104-0308)

Status: Enacted (Public Act 104-0308) — Governor approved August 15, 2025; Effective date: August 15, 2025.
Statutory citation amended: 225 ILCS 10/3.7 (Child Care Act of 1969).

Purpose

HB 3444 amends Section 3.7 of the Child Care Act of 1969 to clarify and restate an exemption from Illinois licensure for certain day care homes and group day care homes that serve dependent children of military personnel. The change affirms that such programs located on military, federal, or government property and certified by a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or the U.S. Coast Guard may be exempt from state licensure and that federal authorities (or their agents) may assume monitoring responsibility.

Key provisions

  • Adds/clarifies language in 225 ILCS 10/3.7 specifying that a day care home or group day care home:
    1. Serves dependent children of military personnel;
    2. Is located on a military base or on federal/government property; and
    3. Is certified as a child development program by a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Provides that the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, or their agents (explicitly including an installation commander) may assume responsibility for monitoring those exempt day care homes or group day care homes.
  • Retains the statutory exemption from state licensure for programs meeting the three requirements.

Who is affected

  • Day care homes and group day care homes located on military, federal, or government property in Illinois that serve military dependent children and hold DoD/USCG child development program certification.
  • Military families who use on-base child care programs.
  • State licensing authorities (Illinois agencies) — these specific programs will not be subject to state licensure and may be monitored by federal/military authorities instead.
  • Federal/military child care administrators who may assume monitoring duties.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Filed and introduced in February 2025; passed both legislative chambers (House and Senate) in May 2025; sent to the Governor June 20, 2025.
  • Governor approved August 15, 2025. Effective on that date as Public Act 104-0308.

Practical effect and considerations

  • The Act formalizes reliance on federal certification and oversight for on-base child care programs serving military dependents, reducing duplication of state licensure for those programs.
  • It may streamline provision of child care for military families on federal property but also means oversight standards and enforcement will primarily be those of the federal branch (DoD/USCG) rather than the State of Illinois.
  • Coordination between state and federal authorities remains relevant where children, staff, or facilities interface with off-base services or where child welfare concerns cross jurisdictions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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