By:  Hardcastle                                                   H.B. No. 3315



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

Relating to childcare facilities.                                             
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 42.022, Human Resources Code, is amended 
by adding the following subsection to be numbered accordingly:
		(__)  The department shall ensure that each child-care 
facility that provides care for less than 24 hours a day complies 
with the appropriate minimum standards relating to staff-child 
ratios, group sizes, and square footage, as those minimum standards 
existed on September 1, 2002.  The department may not enforce new 
standards in relation to staff-child ratios, group sizes, or square 
footage that are more stringent than the 2002 standards for those 
facilities.  This subsection expires September 1, 2005.
		(__)  Prior to the expiration of subsection above the 
department shall, within available appropriations, conduct a 
comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and economic impact study that 
includes families and licensed child-care providers.
	SECTION 2.  This act takes effect September 1, 2003.