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HB 2045

drive by shooting; immediate area

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Selina Bliss

HB 2045 expands Kansas child care by easing licensing/training, enabling waivers and pilots to boost capacity, and creating the Office of Early Childhood to run programs.

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Bill Summary · HB 2045

HB 2045 — Summary (Enacted April 24, 2025)

Status: Approved by Governor April 24, 2025 (enacted).
Introduced: January 23, 2025.

Main purpose

HB 2045 reforms Kansas child care regulation to increase provider flexibility and capacity. It (1) reduces certain training and licensing requirements for child care staff and homes, (2) creates a formal temporary waiver process for day care licensees, (3) authorizes pilot programs to expand child care availability/capacity, and (4) establishes a Kansas Office of Early Childhood and transfers specified child care program administration and licensing duties to that office.

Key provisions and changes

  • Staffing qualifications

    • Licensed child care centers must hire a program director or lead teacher who is at least 18, with a high school diploma or equivalent, and meets one of multiple education/experience criteria (including at least one non‑academic experience option).
    • Centers may employ assistant teachers age 16+; assistant teachers are not subject to mandatory educational requirements.
    • Waivers to staffing qualifications may be granted case‑by‑case.

  • Training requirements (child care homes)

    • For licensure years beginning after July 1, 2025: up to 10 clock hours of professional development per licensure year (secretary determines amount, max 10).
    • Minimum of 8 hours specified by the secretary; up to 4 hours may be outside training with proof required.
    • Providers caring simultaneously for four infants must complete at least 3 infant‑specific training hours.

  • Licensing scope and ratios

    • Rules will be updated so individuals caring for 4 or fewer unrelated children (and providing care under 35 hours/week unless increased by the secretary) may be exempt from licensure.
    • Child–space minimums for centers: 28 sq. ft. of indoor floor space per child (excluding certain areas) and 60 sq. ft. of outdoor play space per child.
    • KDHE required to update child ratio rules by October 1, 2025.

  • Waiver process

    • Creates a formal application process allowing licensed day care facilities to request temporary waivers from statutory or regulatory requirements (initially to the Secretary of Health and Environment; after transition, to the Director of Early Childhood based on deputy director recommendation).
    • Waivers considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

  • Pilot programs

    • Secretary (and later the Director of Early Childhood) may develop and operate pilot programs to increase day care availability or capacity; pilot participants may be licensed under modified requirements and may request state funding subject to appropriation.

  • Organizational changes and funds

    • Establishes the Kansas Office of Early Childhood and the Director of Early Childhood.
    • Transfers administration of day care licensing, parent education programs and the child care subsidy program to the Office of Early Childhood.
    • Creates the Day Care Licensing Fees Fund and the Day Care Criminal Background and Fingerprinting Fund.
    • Defines “youth development program” in statute.

  • Residency requirement removed

    • Secretary may not require a licensed child care home licensee to live in the licensed home.

Who is affected

  • Child care centers, child care homes, assistant teachers, program directors, families using child care, and child care subsidy recipients.
  • State agencies: Kansas Department of Health and Environment initially; administration shifts to the new Kansas Office of Early Childhood (transition dates below).
  • Local jurisdictions (fire, water, sewage compliance remains required).

Timing and administration

  • Many provisions begin July 1, 2025 (with transitional language).
  • Administrative responsibility for several provisions transfers to the Director/Office of Early Childhood on July 1, 2026.
  • KDHE must update rules for ratios by October 1, 2025.

Fiscal/implementation notes

  • The bill creates new dedicated fee funds and authorizes pilot programs to seek appropriations; specific fiscal impacts (costs or savings) depend on rulemaking, fund fee schedules and any appropriations for pilots. The enrolled bill text directs statutory changes and administrative transitions; implementing regulations and appropriations will determine the net fiscal effect.

Legislative history highlights

  • Filed January 23, 2025; passed both chambers following committee review, conference committee and amendments; enrolled April 11, 2025; approved by Governor April 24, 2025.

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

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