BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 218
80R2950 ABC-D By: Carona
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, certain educational entities that operate on-premise after-school child care programs are exempt from regulations by the Department of State Health Services relating to the health, safety, and welfare of children in the facility, as well as the adequate supervision of the children by qualified, well-trained personnel. As a result, the children attending these programs are not afforded the same protections as children attending regulated programs.
As proposed, S.B. 218 requires certain educational entities that operate after-school child care programs to follow the same rules and regulations as currently regulated programs in order to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the children attending such programs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.041(b), Human Resources Code, by deleting the exemption of application of this section (regarding license requirements for a child-care facility or child-placing agency) for an after-school program operated directly by an accredited educational facility or by another entity under contract with the educational facility, if the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has approved the curriculum content of the after-school program under the contract. Deletes the exemption in this section for a preschool educational program that is operated as a part of a public school or a private school accredited by TEA that offers educational programs through grade six and does not provide custodial care during the hours before or after the customary school day. Redesignates the Texas Department of Health as the Department of State Health Services.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.