AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The purpose of this legislation is to require all Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) local workforce development boards (boards) to list quality indicators of subsidized child care providers, including the Texas School Readiness Certification System, Texas Rising Star, and nationally accredited programs, in materials for parents, families, and caregivers of children ages birth to five.

 

Currently, boards are not required to list quality indicators on materials for parents, families, and caregivers to support their decision-making while choosing childcare.  Parents, families, and caregivers should have access to information about the quality of programs available in their area so that they can make an informed choice when placing a child in a program.

 

Current law gives parents the right to choose the type of child care that best suits their needs and to be informed of all child care options available, including licensed child care centers, licensed and registered family homes, and relative care.

 

Boards have the option to list quality indicators, but it is not currently required that they do so.  Therefore, not all of the boards provide this critical information to parents.  This legislation requires all boards to provide quality indicators to parents to ensure that they are informed consumers.

 

As proposed, S.B. 264 amends current law relating to certain information provided by local workforce development boards regarding certain child-care providers.

 

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 Subchapter G, Chapter 2308, Government Code, by adding Section 2308.3171, as follows:

 

Sec.  2308.3171.  INFORMATION ON QUALITY CHILD CARE.  (a) Defines "quality child-care indicator" in this section.

 

(b) Requires each local workforce development board (board) to provide information on quality child-care indicators for each child-care provider in the area served by the board that provides child-care services that are funded by the board or receives reimbursement for child-care services from the board.

 

(c) Requires each board to determine the manner in which to provide the information required by this section.

 

SECTION 2.  Requires each board to implement Section 2308.3171, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2012. 

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.