BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

SB 5279: Child care provider qualif.

Concerning qualifications for child care providers.

Summary

Requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to allow licensed child care providers until at least August 1, 2028, to demonstrate experience-based competency as an alternative to an early childhood education (ECE) certificate.
Expands the experience-based competency to positions that require an ECE state certificate, including child care center directors, assistant directors, and program supervisors.
Directs DCYF to establish a process to proactively recognize the fulfillment of staff qualification requirements who has all of the criteria required for experience-based competency.
Requires DCYF to convene a temporary stakeholder group to assist in identifying strategies to improve early learning and school-age staff qualification requirements and verification processes and report to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.

From the Senate Bill Report (Orig.) (SB 5279), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee

AN ACT Relating to qualifications for child care providers;

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5279 (2023–24) Housing equity property · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5279 (2021–22) Housing/revenue source · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5279 (2019–20) Outdoor burning · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5279 (2017–18) Growlers of wine, sales of · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5279 (2015–16) Economic & revenue forecasts · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5279 (2013–14) Public assistance benefits · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5279 (2011–12) Recovery/industr. insurance · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5279 (2009–10) Unwanted drug disposal · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor