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.