(1) The general assembly finds that changes in demographics and economic trends in Colorado have increased the need for high quality and affordable child care. The general assembly also recognizes that the provision of child care in this state and in the nation is a rapidly growing industry subject to many changes. The general assembly further finds that there is a need for continuing comprehensive review of the rules and regulations and the licensing procedures governing child care centers, family child care homes, and foster care homes that includes the adequate and full participation of parents, consumers, child care providers, and interested persons. The general assembly finds that such a review with the goal of identifying problems in the fragmentation and lack of uniformity of standards in the licensing process would benefit the state and result in improvements in the regulation of this industry that is so vital to the health and well-being of the state's children and citizens.
(2) Beginning with fiscal year 1995-1996, an initial comprehensive rule and regulation review shall be conducted in conjunction with the performance audit required by section 26-6107 (1.5), and, at least every fifth fiscal year thereafter, a comprehensive review of the licensing rules and regulations for child care centers, family child care homes, and foster care homes and the procedures relating to and governing child care centers, family child care homes, and foster care homes shall be conducted by the department, including procedures for the review of backgrounds of employees and owners. In conducting such periodic review, the department shall consult with parents and consumers of child care, child care providers, the department of public health and environment, experts in the child care field, and other interested parties throughout the state. The periodic review shall include an examination of the rules and regulations applicable to child care centers, family child care homes, and foster care homes, the process of licensing such facilities, uniformity of standards or lack thereof in the licensing process, statewide standardization of investigations and enforcement of licensing by the department, duplication and conflicts in regulations, requirements, or procedures between the department and the department of public health and environment, and recommendations for streamlining and unifying the licensing process. Said review shall also include an examination of regulations and procedures regarding the general physical and mental health of employees and owners. At the conclusion of each review, the department shall report its findings and conclusions and its recommendations for administrative changes and for legislation to the state board, the advisory committee on licensing of child care facilities, and the executive director of the department of public health and environment.
Source: L. 89: Entire section added, p. 1222, § 1, effective May 8. L. 94: (2) amended, p. 2796, § 549, effective July 1. L. 96: Entire section amended, p. 263, § 11, effective July 1; (2) amended, p. 1252, § 134, effective August 7.
Editor's note: Amendments to this section by House Bill 96-1167 and House Bill 961006 were harmonized.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 1994 act amending this section, see section 1 of chapter 345, Session Laws of Colorado 1994. For the legislative declaration contained in the 1996 act amending subsection (2), see section 1 of chapter 237, Session Laws of Colorado 1996.