Child care providers would give advance notice before closing

The Department of Human Services may require centers to carry insurance or keep financial reserves. This applies to child care centers. The department may set the amount, but required coverage or reserves cannot be less than 30 days of operating costs, including wages. If enacted, the act would take effect 60 days later.

A center or family child care home that plans to close must give written notice at least 30 days ahead. This applies to child care centers and family child care homes that plan to close or stop operating. Notice must go to the Department of Human Services, employees, and the parents or guardians of children in care. The notice must include a plan for storing and preserving required records. The rule does not apply when the closure is because of a disaster emergency declared by the Governor. If enacted, the act would take effect 60 days later.

A center or family child care home that violates the notice rule is liable to a parent or guardian for certain costs or losses. This applies when a child care center or family child care home fails to give the required closure notice. The liability covers child care expenses or lost wages incurred during each day of the violation. The section does not apply when the closure is because of a disaster emergency declared by the Governor. If enacted, the act would take effect 60 days later.