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Bill

A 592

Permits up to 10 children to be cared for by a registered family day care provider.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and 1 co-sponsor

Raising the maximum number of children in a family day care home from 5 to 10, with enhanced health, safety, and training requirements for providers serving 6–10 children.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
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Bill Summary · A 592

Summary of Bill A-592 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and Intent

This bill proposes to increase the maximum number of children that a registered family day care provider may care for in a single family day care home from 5 to 10 children. It also strengthens health, safety, and training requirements for providers who care for more than five children and authorizes expanded training and monitoring activities through sponsoring organizations. The measure is designed to formalize and regulate higher-capacity home-based child care, while ensuring enhanced oversight and staff coverage.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Increase in capacity

    • For a family day care home registered under the Family Day Care Provider Registration Act, the allowed number of children at any one time will increase from a maximum of 5 to a maximum of 10.

  • Enhanced health and safety requirements (for 6–10 children)

    • A family day care home providing care to more than five children must meet all health and safety code requirements in addition to the act’s provisions.
    • There must be at least one additional person present at all times who has completed the training required under the act.

  • Registration and oversight framework remains in place

    • The term “family day care home” and related definitions continue to align with the act, including the role of a “family day care sponsoring organization” that assists in registration, monitors, and provides training.
    • Certificates of registration are non-transferable and must be posted in a prominent location within the home.

  • Training and monitoring

    • The sponsoring organization must provide at least one preservice training or orientation before issuing a certificate.
    • The sponsoring organization is responsible for ongoing training, consultation, and technical assistance after registration.
    • The sponsoring organization is authorized to monitor and evaluate each registered provider at least once every two years.
    • Annually, at least 20% of registered providers in the sponsoring organization’s geographic area must be monitored on a random basis to ensure compliance, with corrective actions as needed.

  • Funding for training

    • The Commissioner of Human Services must use federal funds (including FFY2016 Child Care and Development Block Grant funds, or other available federal funds) to support the additional training required by the bill.

  • Effective date

    • The act is stated to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Family day care providers registered under the Family Day Care Provider Registration Act (C.30:5B-16 et seq.), particularly those serving more than five children.
  • Family day care sponsoring organizations that register, monitor, and train providers in specific geographic areas.
  • Municipalities and local governments, insofar as they regulate home-based child care in residential districts (inferred from the policy aim to permit operations in residential areas under certain conditions).
  • Children and families who utilize registered family day care services, especially in settings with 6–10 children.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Regulation and registration processes are to be implemented through the Department of Children and Families and the sponsoring organizations, with required training and monitoring schedules.
  • The bill authorizes the use of federal funds to support the expanded training requirements.
  • Regulations needed to effectuate the act will be developed under the Administrative Procedure Act process.

Note

The bill includes specific amendments to existing statutes (P.L.1983, c.492 and P.L.1987, c.27) and adds a new provision to authorize funding for training. It emphasizes safety, oversight, and professional development to accompany the higher capacity limit.

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

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