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Bill

A 10539

Relates to child care provider registration

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Monique Chandler-Waterman and 2 co-sponsors

Extends license and registration validity for certain NY child care providers from four to six years, tied to ongoing substantial compliance.

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Bill Summary · A 10539

Bill Summary – New York A.10539 (2025-2026 Session)

Basic information

  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Introduced by: Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman
  • Co-sponsor: Assembly Member Demond Meeks
  • Committee: Children and Families
  • Status: Passed the Assembly (3/23/2026); Passed the Senate (4/7/2026); Substituted for S9602 and referred to Assembly as of 4/7/2026; Enacted with a one-year effective date
  • Effective date: One year after becoming law

Purpose and intent

The bill amends the Social Services Law to modify the licensing/registration framework for certain child care providers. Specifically, it extends the license and registration validity periods from four years to six years for eligible child care operations, while maintaining compliance requirements.

Key provisions

1) Extension of license validity for child day care centers and group family day care programs

  • Who is affected:
    • Child day care centers that care for seven or more children
    • Group family day care programs (as defined in the statute)
  • Change: Licenses (initial and subsequent) will be valid for up to six years rather than four, provided the provider remains substantially in compliance with applicable law and regulations.
  • Authority: Issued and regulated by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) under current licensing framework.

2) Extension of registration validity

  • Who is affected: Child care providers subject to initial and subsequent registrations (the same categories as above).
  • Change: Registrations will be valid for up to six years rather than four, contingent on substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

3) General compliance standard

  • In both licensing and registration contexts, the extended period is conditional upon the provider continuing to be “substantially in compliance” with relevant statutes and regulations during the license/registration period.

Effective date and transition

  • Effective date: One year after the bill becomes law.
  • Implication: Providers operating under existing licenses/registrations will have their current validity periods extended up to six years once the law takes effect, assuming continued compliance.

Potential impact

  • Operational stability for providers: Longer license and registration durations could reduce administrative burden, renewal applications, and associated fees (though explicit fee changes are not stated in the bill text).
  • Regulatory oversight: OCFS will continue to monitor compliance; the six-year window emphasizes ongoing adherence to laws and regulations rather than frequent renewals.
  • Quality and safety considerations: By tying renewal duration to “substantial compliance,” the bill preserves oversight and accountability while reducing renewal frequency.

Summary of what the bill changes

  • Replaces references to a four-year maximum license/registration term with a six-year maximum for:
    • Initial licenses
    • Subsequent licenses
    • Initial registrations
    • Subsequent registrations
  • Maintains the condition that all licenses or registrations require substantial compliance with applicable law and regulations during the term.
  • Adds a one-year postponement before the changes take effect after enactment.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current law text or a brief pros/cons analysis from a policy perspective.

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

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