PennAEYC stays current on proposals and actions to change the early care and education system at the state and federal levels so we can influence the outcome and inform our members and other concerned Pennsylvanians of possible change.

PennAEYC Positions Statements

PennAEYC monitors and responds to legislative, regulatory and administrative actions impacting the early care and education system at the state and federal levels. Learn more about current proposals by downloading our position statements. If you have questions please contact Kimberly Early.

2021-22 Pennsylvania Legislation

Senate Bill 129 - Carbon Monoxide Alarms Standards in Child Care Facilities Act
 
Senate Bill 129  creates the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Standards in Child Care Facilities Act. The bill would require each building where a child care facility is operating that uses a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, fireplace or in an attached garage, have an operational, centrally located and approved carbon monoxide alarm installed in the vicinity of the heater or fireplace. A carbon monoxide alarm would also need to be located in every unit on the same story as the heater or appliance. Child care facilities may not be granted a license or certificate of compliance without meeting the requirements. A child care facility may be granted a provisional license if they are not in compliance with the requirements. The bill would take effect in 90 days with child care facilities required to meet the carbon monoxide requirement within 18 months of the effective date.
Download PennAEYC's position statement SB 129, PN 105 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement

 

Senate Bill 563 -  Smoke Detectors for Family Child Care Homes 

Senate Bill 563 amends the “Fire and Panic Act” to require family child care home providers to install interconnected (whether by hardwire, Bluetooth or other means) smoke alarms on each floor of their home and in the basement and have a portable fire extinguisher in the kitchen and any other cooking areas. The activation of each smoke alarm must result in an audible alarm for those inside the child care space with all doors closed. At the time of installation, the smoke alarm must be approved by a testing laboratory recognized by OSHA to test and certify smoke alarms. Family child care homes are provided 12 months after the effective date or until the expiration of their current certificate of compliance (whichever is longer) to comply.
Download PennAEYC's position statement here:
SB 563 PN 609 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement

 

House Bill 1155 -  Municipal Recreation Programs

House Bill 1155 exempts municipal recreation programs serving preschoolers from meeting the requirements of a child care center, if the municipality has an ordinance or resolution that adopts the health and safety standards consistent with the minimum standards that are provided by the PA Recreation and Parks Society Protocol for Public Preschool Recreation Programs. Download PennAEYC's position statement here:

HB 1155, PN 3020 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement
HB 1155, PN 1219 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement

 

House Bill 2400 - Keystone STARS Placards and Pathway to Additional STARS

House Bill 2400 gives non-profit and for-profit child care providers the option to post their STAR-level rating in a public-facing location utilizing a Department of Human Services issued placard and post their STAR-level rating on their website. The provider may also provide their STAR-level rating and the DHS website in writing to the family at the time of application, so families can obtain information on the Keystone STARS Program. As amended, the bill includes language that requires DHS to create a rubric that would provide a pathway to permit appropriate demonstration of a combination of staff qualifications, work experience and professional development, quality early childhood education program activities, partnerships with families and communities and effective leadership and program management when applying for additional STARS. Download PennAEYC's position statement here:

HB 2400 PN 3512 PennAEYC Trying Together First Up Position Statement

PN refers to the term "printer's number". Bills have a printer’s number in the upper right-hand corner, known as the printer’s number. If a bill is amended, it is given a new printer’s number to reflect changes have been made to the bill. All previous numbers are in the upper left-hand corner of a bill.

For information on how to read a bill, please go here.