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HB 477

State Department of Education - Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers - Regulatory Analysis

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Barnes and 1 co-sponsor

Maryland requires education department to analyze regulatory costs and burdens on child care providers and homes to assess if current rules balance child safety with provider feasibility.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 287
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Bill Summary · HB 477

Legislative bill overview

HB 477 requires the Maryland State Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive regulatory analysis of existing rules governing family child care homes and child care centers. The bill mandates examination of regulatory burdens, compliance costs, and whether current regulations adequately protect children while remaining economically feasible for providers.

Why is this important

Child care regulation directly affects affordability and availability of care for working families while balancing child safety and quality standards. Regulatory analysis can identify outdated or unnecessarily burdensome rules that may be driving providers out of business or limiting access to care, making this relevant to parents, educators, and the broader economy.

Potential points of contention

  • Deregulation concerns: Critics may worry the analysis is a precursor to weakening child safety standards or reducing oversight of child care facilities
  • Provider burden vs. child protection: Disagreement over which regulations are truly unnecessary versus those essential for protecting vulnerable children
  • Implementation costs: Questions about whether the state adequately funds the Department of Education to conduct thorough analysis without reducing other educational priorities

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

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