SB 26-20

Senate Bill 26-20 aims to improve Colorado's child care system by creating a digital platform for managing provider information and employee records. It also requires the state department of early childhood to gradually use its own staff instead of third-party contractors for inspections, with some health and sanitation checks excluded from this change. The bill allows provisional licenses for up to nine months if local zoning issues delay full licensing, ensuring these facilities can still operate while resolving disputes. Additionally, it sets up a task force to study ways to simplify the child care licensing process and improve quality standards. Since the bill has been signed into law, its provisions will now be implemented as outlined.

Official Summary

The act requires the executive director of the Colorado department of early childhood (CDEC) to adopt rules concerning the requirements for licensed child care facilities to maintain up-to-date employee records in the professional development information system currently administered by CDEC.     The act requires CDEC, on or before July 1, 2026, to begin phasing out its reliance on third parties to investigate and inspect facilities applying for certain types of child care licenses where feasible and to prioritize the use of CDEC personnel to conduct the investigations and inspections instead. The act exempts certain health and sanitation inspections from the phase-out. CDEC must establish standardized training, protocols, and supervision for CDEC personnel and authorized or contracted third parties.     A local governing authority that imposes requirements related to the inspection, permitting, licensing, or approval of a child care center or family child care home beyond the state-level licensing standards (local approval process) shall limit associated fees and prioritize concluding a local approval process that has been delayed or disputed.     The act creates the child care licensure task force (task force) to study and report on recommendations for a streamlined child care licensure system in the state. On or before January 1, 2027, the task force must report on its recommendations to the health and human services and education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, the governor, and CDEC. The performance of the task force's work is dependent upon the receipt of sufficient gifts, grants, and donations.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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