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Bill

HB 3446

Relating to funding to support career and technical education.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Emily McIntire and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois will require a public, annually updated list of college courses that count toward early childhood credentials, with a verification and oversight process.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3446

Summary — HB 3446 / Public Act 104-0309

Status: Enacted (Public Act 104-0309). Governor approved August 15, 2025. Effective date: January 1, 2026. Introduced February 26, 2025. Primary sponsors: Rep. Mary Beth Canty; Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (Senate chief sponsor).

Purpose

Require the Illinois Department of Early Childhood to publish and maintain a publicly accessible, regularly updated list of college courses that count toward the statutorily required qualifications for early childhood teachers and directors, and to establish a transparent verification and oversight process for course eligibility.

Key provisions

  • Adds Sections 9.1d, 9.1e, and 9.1f to the Child Care Act of 1969.
  • Course list requirement (Sec. 9.1d):
    • By no later than January 1, 2027, the Department of Early Childhood — in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board, the Board of Higher Education, and the Department of Children and Family Services — must publish on its website a comprehensive list of college early childhood courses that qualify under 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130 and 407.140 (teacher and director qualifications).
    • The list must be updated at least once per year.
    • Institutions of higher education must submit course information in a department-prescribed form and manner to assist verification.
  • Verification, inclusion/removal & oversight process (Sec. 9.1e):
    • By the same January 1, 2027 deadline, the Department must create a process (developed with stakeholders) to verify qualifying courses.
    • Required elements to be posted publicly include: criteria for including and removing courses; a rule that course removal must not negatively affect individuals who have already taken or are currently enrolled in the course; a notification plan for distributing the list and updates to licensed child care centers; an impartial oversight review process for courses deemed ineligible; and a procedure for establishing eligibility for courses not on the list.
  • Training (Sec. 9.1f):
    • Applicable State staff must be trained on use of the course list, the prohibitions related to the list, and the impartial review process.
  • Rulemaking authority:
    • The Department may adopt rules to implement these sections.

Who is affected

  • Institutions of higher education (public, private, nonprofit, for-profit, in-state and those offering coursework to Illinois residents) — required to submit course information for review.
  • Early childhood teachers and directors, and applicants — will have clearer guidance about which college courses satisfy qualification requirements.
  • Licensed child care centers and their staff — will receive notifications and rely on the published list for hiring/qualification decisions.
  • Department of Early Childhood and other State staff (licensing representatives) — responsible for implementing and operating the list, review process, and training.

Timeline & implementation notes

  • Effective: January 1, 2026.
  • Publication and verification process required no later than January 1, 2027.
  • Course list must be updated at least annually.
  • The law references existing qualification standards in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130 and 407.140.
  • The Department may promulgate rules to carry out the law and prescribe submission forms.

Potential effects

  • Increases transparency and predictability about what college coursework counts toward early childhood credentials.
  • Helps institutions, students, employers, and licensing staff align coursework with credential requirements.
  • Imposes administrative responsibilities on institutions and the Department (course submissions, verification process, staff training).
  • Includes protections to prevent retroactive negative impacts on students or applicants when courses are removed from the list.

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

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