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Bill Summary · HB 3445

Bill overview

  • Bill: HB 3445
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Missouri
  • Title: Establishes provisions relating to licensed child care facilities
  • Sponsor: Representative Schmidt (co-sponsor: Melissa Schmidt)

Primary purpose

HB 3445 adds a new statutory requirement for licensed child care facilities when enrolling a child who requires a medical provider statement of special needs. With parental permission, the bill obligates facilities to coordinate with local educational agencies or private education agencies to support the child and family, and to develop and implement specialized care plans and staff training as the child ages.

Key provisions

  • New section created: Section 210.204, Missouri Revised Statutes
  • Definitions:
    • “Local educational agencies” are defined as school districts and charter schools that have declared themselves local educational agencies.

  • Requirements for licensed child care facilities enrolling a child with a medical provider statement of special needs (subject to parental permission):

    1. Refer the child’s family to local educational agencies or private education agencies to support the child and family.
    2. Collaborate with local educational agencies or private education agencies to ensure the child’s needs are met.
    3. Coordinate with local educational agencies for a specialized care plan when the child reaches three years of age.
    4. Prepare a specialized care plan to ensure best practices for the child are followed.
    5. Provide training to child care facility staff members to support the child’s needs.

  • Scope: Applies to licensed child care facilities enrolling children who require a medical provider statement of special needs.

  • Parental permission: All actions under this section require parental permission.

Who/what would be affected

  • Affected entities:
    • Licensed child care facilities enrolling children with medical provider statements of special needs.
    • Local educational agencies (LEAs) and private education agencies that support the child and family.
  • Affected individuals:
    • Children with special needs who require a medical provider statement.
    • Families of these children.
    • Child care staff who would receive specialized training.
  • Interactions created:
    • Increased coordination between child care facilities, LEAs, and private education agencies.
    • Development of specialized care plans, particularly as the child approaches age three.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enactment timeline: The bill has been introduced and referred for consideration in May 2026, with earlier readings in February 2026.
  • Implementation sequence (upon passage and with parental permission):
    • Obtain parental permission for involvement with LEAs/private agencies.
    • Facility refers family to appropriate agencies.
    • Facility collaborates with agencies to address needs.
    • For children turning three, coordinate a specialized care plan with LEAs.
    • Develop and implement a specialized care plan within the facility.
    • Train staff on the child’s needs and best practices.
  • No funding mechanism or penalties are provided in the text available; fiscal implications would depend on any accompanying fiscal note or subsequent amendments.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Positive/intent: Aims to improve support and consistency in care for children with special needs by aligning licensed facilities with educational and private agencies and ensuring staff are trained.
  • Implementation considerations:
    • Whether parental permission is obtained or could be withdrawn may affect access to required supports.
    • Availability and capacity of LEAs/private agencies to provide the referenced coordination and specialized care plans.
    • Administrative burden on licensed facilities to establish referrals, collaboration, care planning, and training.
  • Oversight: The bill’s text does not specify enforcement mechanisms or penalties; details may be addressed in implementing regulations or future amendments.

Summary

HB 3445 would require licensed child care facilities to actively coordinate with local educational agencies or private education agencies to support children with special needs who have a medical provider statement, contingent on parental permission. It establishes duties to refer families, collaborate with agencies, coordinate specialized care plans (notably when the child turns three), develop care plans within the facility, and provide staff training to ensure best practices for the child. The changes seek to enhance the integration of child care with educational and specialized support services, with a focus on ensuring continuity of care as the child ages.

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

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