VermontVermont would require licenses for educators in regulated child care programs
If enacted, Vermont would require educators in approved child care programs to hold a license to use the early childhood educator title, starting in 2028.
What it does
People caring for and teaching young children in approved child care programs would need a license to use the early childhood educator title. Several groups, including some teachers and public school workers, are exempt.
Applicants would need the education and field experience required for their license type. Family child care providers must qualify by January 1, 2029, and the Board may not accept applications after that date.
Some teachers, program directors, and family child care providers could receive temporary licenses while they work toward full qualifications. Family child care providers must first meet Early Childhood Educator I requirements.
The Office of Professional Regulation would report on the licensing program by November 1, 2031. It would also receive $262,000 and authorization for two full-time positions in fiscal year 2027, if the required funding is appropriated.
Argument forFamilies might find it easier to check educators’ license levels and raise concerns because licensees must share licensing and complaint information.
Argument againstEducators might face costs and time demands from required education, field experience, license fees, and continuing education.
More detail
The proposal would require covered people to hold a license to use the early childhood educator title. The rule covers people caring for and teaching children from birth through age eight in Child Development Division-approved child care programs, except programs operated by public schools. Teachers with specified education licenses, some child care workers, and people who work only in public schools are exempt. The chapter would not change requirements for publicly funded prekindergarten programs. The licensing provisions are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2028.
Applicants would need to meet education and field experience requirements, and licensees would renew their licenses every two years. These requirements apply to applicants for Early Childhood Educator I, II, and III licenses and Family Child Care Provider licenses. Requirements depend on the license type. A Family Child Care Provider must be authorized to operate a home and be in good standing on January 1, 2029; the Board may not accept applications after that date. Renewal requires a fee and Board-required continuing education, capped at 24 hours. An exam is required only if set by rule. The general licensing provisions are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2028.
The Board would issue temporary licenses to certain teachers, program directors, and family child care providers who are working toward full qualifications. The provisions cover teachers and program directors who lack the required education or experience, and family child care home providers who meet Early Childhood Educator I requirements but not Early Childhood Educator II requirements. Family child care providers must meet Early Childhood Educator I requirements before receiving a temporary Early Childhood Educator II license. They must keep working toward the Early Childhood Educator II requirements. The license may last up to three two-year periods. The family child care provider provision is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2029. The later version of the transitional licensing provisions is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2036.
The Office of Professional Regulation would report on the licensing program and, if funding is provided, use funds and staff to carry it out. The Office would report to designated House and Senate committees on licensing, state resources, complaints, and family child care homes. The Office would receive $262,000 from the General Fund and authorization for two full-time positions in fiscal year 2027. The duty to implement this funding and staffing section depends on a fiscal year 2027 General Fund appropriation to the Office for the stated purposes. The report is due by November 1, 2031. The funding and positions are for fiscal year 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 30Rep. Birong of Vergennes moved that the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Human Services, which was agreed toLatest
- Mar 24Read first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsMinor
- Mar 19Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Mattos
- Vote recorded Read 3rd time & passed on roll call, requested by Senator Mattos, Passed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 22, Nays = 6. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 19Read 3rd time & passed on roll call, requested by Senator Mattos, Passed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 22, Nays = 6Passed 1st Chamber
- Mar 19Pending third reading, bill amended as moved by Senator(s) BongartzMinor
- Mar 19New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 183rd reading ordered
- Vote recorded Senator(s) Heffernan motion to commit bill to Committee on Education disagreed to on roll call requested by Sen. Weeks, Failed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 9, Nays = 19. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to on roll call, requested by Senator Baruth, Passed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 21, Nays = 7. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 18Senator Heffernan explained vote
- Mar 18Senator Beck explained vote
- Mar 18Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Baruth
- Mar 18Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to on roll call, requested by Senator Baruth, Passed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 21, Nays = 7
- Mar 18Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare, as amended, agreed to
- Mar 18Roll Call, Requested by Sen. Weeks
- Mar 18Senator(s) Heffernan motion to commit bill to Committee on Education disagreed to on roll call requested by Sen. Weeks, Failed -- Needed 14 of 28 to Pass -- Yeas = 9, Nays = 19
- Mar 18Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 18Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Appropriations with recommendation of amendmentMinor
- Mar 18Reported favorably by Senator Hardy for Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 18Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Gulick for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 18Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 18Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 18Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 18Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 17Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 17Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 17Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 17Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 17Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 11Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- Mar 11Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- Mar 11Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 11Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 11Entered on Notice Calendar
- Feb 19Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- Feb 19Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Feb 19Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 6Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareIntroduced
Education