FloridaPalm Beach County home child care rules set child limits
Palm Beach County law defines how many children home child care providers may serve and sets staffing and experience rules for larger homes.
What it does
Family day care homes are defined as residences caring for one to six children, subject to lower limits in state law and child care rules.
Large family child care homes may serve either up to eight infants and toddlers or up to 12 children with no more than four under age two, while meeting staffing and experience rules.
Argument forClear age-based limits may help providers and families understand how many children a large home may care for.
Argument againstTwo full-time workers and prior licensing experience may make large-home licenses harder for some providers to obtain.
More detail
The county law defines a family day care home as an occupied residence caring for one to six children. The definition covers children related to the operator who are under 13 and other children under 18. The operator must receive payment, a fee, or a grant for at least one child, whether or not the home operates for profit. The home must follow any lower limits in Florida law and Department of Children and Families rules. The definition applies when the act becomes law.
The county law allows a large family child care home to serve either up to eight children from birth through 24 months or up to 12 children, with no more than four under 24 months. The limits include children under 13 who are related to the caregiver. The home must have at least two full-time child care workers present during operating hours, and one must be the owner or resident. Before seeking a large-home license, it must have operated as a licensed family day care home for two years with an operator who held a child development associate credential or equivalent for one year. The home must follow any lower limits in Florida law and Department of Children and Families rules. These limits and requirements apply when the act becomes law.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-198Latest
- Jun 10Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Jan 26Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Jan 26Bill referred to House Calendar
- Jan 231st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 23CS FiledMinor
- Jan 23Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 23Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Jan 22Favorable with CS by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 14Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 14Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 14Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- 2025
- Dec 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Dec 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Dec 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 4FiledIntroduced
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