Child Care Providers - Licensing and Registration Alterations

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb1574*

HOUSE BILL 1574
F5 6lr1821

By: Delegates Solomon, Addison, Bagnall, Coley, Ebersole, Forbes, Guyton,
Hornberger, D. Jones, Kaufman, Lopez, Mireku –North, Palakovich Carr,
and Tomlinson
Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 23, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Child Care Providers – Licensing and Registration Alterations and Workgroup 2
to Study Illegally Provided Child Care 3

FOR the purpose of requiring the State Department of Education to issue a warning to 4
child care providers for certain violations of a rule or regulation adopted by the 5
Department within a certain period of time; requiring the Department to establish a 6
unit with the dedicated purpose of processing and managing information about 7
criminal history records checks for applicants to child care prov iders; requiring the 8
unit to notify an individual who has submitted an application about the status and 9
result of the application within a certain time; providing for the handling of criminal 10
background history information establish a certain grace period for the 11
implementation of certain new or substantively amended regulations, subject to 12
certain conditions; altering the requirements that the State Board of Education must 13
adopt for licensing and regulating family child care providers and child care centers; 14
requiring the Department to enter into an agreement with certain child care 15
providers with a certain M aryland EXCELS quality rating who violate certain 16
provisions of law or regulation; requiring the State Superintendent of Schools to 17
provide a certain notice and place on a certain list certain individuals who are 18
prohibited from employment by child care ce nters due to a failure to supervise 19
violation; establishing the Workgroup to Study Illegally Provided Child Care to study 20
and make recommendations on the scale and impacts of illegally provided child care 21
in the State; and generally relating to the rules and regulations governing the legal 22
provision of child care in the State. 23
2 HOUSE BILL 1574

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 1
Article – Education 2
Section 1–101(a) and (f) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
Article – Education 7
Section 9.5–101 and, 9.5–107, 9.5–306, and 9.5–411 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Education 12
Section 9.5–106, 9.5–303, 9.5–306, and 9.5–404, and 9.5–411 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15

BY adding to 16
Article – Education 17
Section 9.5–118, 9.5–306.1, 9.5–411.1, and 9.5–411.2 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 21
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 22

Article – Education 23

1–101. 24

(a) In this article, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words have 25
the meanings indicated. 26

(f) “Department” means the State Department of Education. 27

9.5–101. 28

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 29

(b) “Advertisement” means a communication that is intended to influence a 30
person to enter into an obligation or sign a contract for services. 31

(c) “Child care center” has the meaning stated in § 9.5–401 of this title. 32

(d) “Family child care home” has the meaning stated in § 9.5–301 of this title. 33
HOUSE BILL 1574 3

(e) “Large family child car e home” has the meaning stated in § 9.5 –301 of this 1
title. 2

(f) “License” means a license issued by the Department to operate a child care 3
center. 4

(g) “Registration” means a registration issued by the Department to a family child 5
care home or a large family child care home. 6

9.5–106. 7

(A) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 9.5–107 of this subtitle AND EXCEPT AS 8
PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION: 9

(1) If a licensee violates any provision of this title or of a rule or regulation 10
adopted under this title, the Department may suspend the license for a period not exceeding 11
1 year; and 12

(2) If a licensee or registrant violates any provision of this title or of a rule 13
or regulation adopted under this title, the Department may revoke the license or 14
registration. 15

(B) IF A LICENSEE OR REGI STRANT VIOLATES A RU LE OR REGULATION 16
ADOPTED UNDER THIS T ITLE WITHIN THE FIRS T YEAR OF ADOPTION B Y THE 17
DEPARTMENT: 18

(1) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL WARN THE 19
LICENSEE OR REGISTRA NT AND DISCUSS THE TERMS OF THE NEW RULE OR 20
REGULATION; AND 21

(2) FOR SUBSEQUENT VIOLAT IONS, THE DEPARTMENT MAY IMPOSE 22
ON THE LICENSEE OR REGISTRANT A PENALTY AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS TITLE 23

(1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES ONLY TO REGULATIONS ADOPTED ON 24
OR AFTER JULY 1, 2026, THAT ADD NEW REGULATIONS OR SUBSTANTIVELY AMEND 25
EXISTING REGULATIONS. 26

(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH A GRACE PERIOD FOR THE 27
IMPLEMENTATION OF NE W OR AMENDED REGULAT IONS ADOPTED UNDER T HIS 28
TITLE. 29

(3) THE DEPARTMENT HAS DISCRE TION TO DETERMIN E WHEN A 30
GRACE PERIOD MAY OR MAY NOT BE PROVIDED, INCLUDING WHEN: 31

4 HOUSE BILL 1574

(I) A REGULATION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OR 1
SAFETY OF CHILDREN; OR 2

(II) A REGULATION IS NECESS ARY TO ENSURE COMPLI ANCE 3
WITH FEDERAL LAW. 4

9.5–107. 5

The Department may not suspend or revoke a license or registration unless the 6
Department gives to the licensee or registrant: 7

(1) Notice of the suspension or revocation at least 20 days before the 8
suspension or revocation; 9

(2) A statement of the grounds for the suspension or revocation; and 10

(3) An opportunity to be heard. 11

9.5–118. 12

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 13
INDICATED. 14

(2) (I) “APPLICANT” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS APPLYING FOR 15
A POSITION INVOLVING DIRECT CONTACT WITH CHILDREN IN A LICENSED CHILD 16
CARE CENTER , REGISTERED FAMILY CH ILD CARE HOME , OR REGISTERED LARGE 17
FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME. 18

(II) “APPLICANT” INCLUDES A VOLUNTEER OR AN ADDITIONAL 19
ADULT WHO ASSISTS A CHILD CARE PROVIDER IN CARING FOR CHILDR EN IN A 20
FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME OR A LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME. 21

(3) “CENTRAL REPOSITORY” MEANS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE 22
INFORMATION SYSTEM CENTRAL REPOSITORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC 23
SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. 24

(B) AN APPLICANT TO A FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, A LARGE FAMILY CHILD 25
CARE HOME , OR A CHILD CARE CENT ER SHALL SUBMIT TO A CRIMINAL HISTORY 26
RECORDS CHECK IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 5–555 OF THE FAMILY LAW ARTICLE. 27

(C) (1) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A UNIT WITHIN THE 28
DEPARTMENT FOR THE DE DICATED PURPOSE OF P ROCESSING AND MANAGING 29
INFORMATION ABOUT CR IMINAL HISTORY RECOR DS CHECKS FOR APPLIC ANTS TO 30
PROVIDE CHILD CARE SERVICES. 31

HOUSE BILL 1574 5

(II) THE UNIT MAY BE STAFF ED BY EXISTING EMPLO YEES IN 1
THE REGIONAL CHILD CARE LICENSING OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. 2

(2) (I) WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING AN APPLICATION FOR A 3
CRIMINAL HISTORY REC ORDS CHECK , THE UNIT SHALL ACKNO WLEDGE RECEIPT 4
AND NOTIFY THE INDIVIDUAL REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION. 5

(II) SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF CRIMINAL HISTORY REC ORDS 6
INFORMATION FROM THE CENTRAL REPOSITORY, WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER 7
RECEIVING AN APPLICATION FOR A CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK, THE UNIT 8
SHALL NOTIFY THE IND IVIDUAL REGARDING TH E INDIVIDUAL ’S ELIGIBILITY TO 9
PROVIDE CHILD CARE S ERVICES IN A LICENSE D OR REGISTERED CHIL D CARE 10
PROGRAM. 11

(D) (1) A CRIMINAL HISTORY REC ORDS CHECK OF AN IND IVIDUAL 12
APPROVED TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE SERVICES SHALL REMAIN VALID FOR 5 YEARS. 13

(2) (I) THE UNIT SHALL MAINTA IN A LIST OF INDIVID UALS WHO 14
HAVE SUBMITTED CRIMI NAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 15
THIS SECTION. 16

(II) THE UNIT MAY SHARE TH E NAME AND STATUS OF AN 17
INDIVIDUAL ON THE LIST WITH: 18

1. A LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTER, REGISTERED 19
FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, OR REGISTERED LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME AT 20
WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL SEEKS TO VOLUNTEER OR BE EMPLOYED; AND 21

2. THE INDIVIDUAL. 22

(3) THE UNIT SHALL, ON REQUEST BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR CHILD CARE 23
PROVIDER, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTI CE TO A LICENSED CHI LD CARE CENTER , 24
REGISTERED FAMILY CH ILD CARE HOME , OR REGISTERED LARGE FAMILY CHILD 25
CARE HOME THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SEEKS TO BE EMPLOYED BY OR VOLUNTEER 26
WITH THE CHILD CARE PROVIDER HAS A VALID CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK 27
ON FILE WITH THE DEPARTMENT. 28

(E) (1) INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE CENTRAL REPOSITORY IN 29
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION: 30

(I) IS CONFIDENTIAL; 31

(II) MAY NOT BE REDISSEMINATED; AND 32
6 HOUSE BILL 1574

(III) MAY BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSES STATED IN THIS 1
SECTION. 2

(2) THE SUBJECT OF A CRIM INAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK UNDER 3
THIS SECTION MAY CONTEST THE CONTENTS OF THE CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS 4
CHECK ISSUED BY THE CENTRAL REPOSITORY AS PROVIDE D IN § 10–223 OF THE 5
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ARTICLE. 6

9.5–303. 7

(a) The State Board shall adopt regulations that relate to the registration of 8
family child care homes and large family child care homes. 9

(b) So far as practicable, the regulations shall be uniform with the rules and 10
regulations adopted by other State agencies as those rules and regulations relate to other 11
types of child care. 12

(c) At a minimum, the regulations shall provide for: 13

(1) Minimum standards of environmental health and safety, including 14
provisions for: 15

(i) Adequate and safe physical surroundings, including 16
requirements for window coverings in accordance with § 5–505 of the Family Law Article; 17

(ii) The physical and mental health of child care providers; [and] 18

(iii) Investigation of any criminal record of a child care provider; AND 19

(IV) MAINTAINING EMERGENCY INFORMATION FROM A CHILD’S 20
PARENT OR GUARDIAN T HAT IS UPDATED AS NE EDED AND REVIEWED BY THE 21
PARENT OR GUARDIAN AT LEAST ONCE EACH YEAR; 22

(2) A thorough evaluation of each prospective family child care home, large 23
family child care home, and child care provider, to be completed before the Department 24
accepts an initial registration; 25

(3) An initial family child care registration that expires 2 years after its 26
effective date; 27

(4) A continuing family child care registration that: 28

(i) Upon application by the child care provider that meets the 29
requirements set by the Department, is issued to the provider before the end of the initial 30
registration period; and 31
HOUSE BILL 1574 7

(ii) Once issued, remains in effect until surrendered, suspended, 1
revoked, or replaced by a conditional registration; 2

(5) Reporting of any changed circumstances that relate to the 3
requirements, by the child care provider, at the time the change occurs; 4

(6) An orientation to be provided to prospective child care providers by the 5
Department before initial registration; 6

(7) Announced inspection by the Department of each registered family 7
child care home and large family child care home prior to issuance of an initial or continuing 8
registration to determine whether applicable requirements are being met; 9

(8) Unannounced inspection by the Department of each registered family 10
child care home and large family child care home at least once during each 12–month period 11
that an initial or continuing registration is in effect to determine whether safe and 12
appropriate child care is being provided; 13

(9) Procedures to be followed by the Department in response to a complaint 14
about a family child care home or large family child care home THAT: 15

(I) MAKE USE OF A UNIFORM COMPLAINT INTAKE PRO CESS; 16
AND 17

(II) IMPLEMENT ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, IMPLEMENT A 18
STANDARDIZED COMPLAINT PRIORITY GUIDE THAT DIFFERENTIATES COMPLAINTS 19
BY THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE RAISED, INCLUDING DEFINED RESPONSE TIMES 20
FOR EACH LEVEL OF COMPLAINT; 21

(10) A requirement that each registered child care provider shall hold a 22
current certificate indicating successful completion of approved: 23

(i) Basic first aid training through the American Red Cross or 24
through a program with equivalent standards; and 25

(ii) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training through the 26
American Heart Association or through a program with equivalent standards appropriate 27
for the ages of children for whom care is provided in the family child care home or large 28
family child care home; 29

(11) A requirement that the minimum age of a family child care teacher in 30
a registered large family child care home be at least 18 years old and that an individual not 31
be precluded from being a family child care teacher solely for being 18 years old; 32

8 HOUSE BILL 1574

(12) (i) A requirement that a family child care home or large family child 1
care home that receives notice of a contaminated drinking water supply from the family 2
child care home’s or large family child care home’s supplier of water, in accordance with § 3
9–410 of the Environment Article or otherwise, send notice of the drinking water 4
contamination to the parent or legal guardian of each child attending the family child care 5
home or large family child care home; and 6

(ii) A requirement that the notice sent by the family child care home 7
or large family child care home shall: 8

1. Be sent within 10 business days after receipt of the notice 9
of contamination from the family child care home’s or large family child care home’s water 10
supplier; 11

2. Be in writing; 12

3. Identify the contaminants and their levels in the family 13
child care home’s or large family child care home’s water supply; and 14

4. Describe the family child care home’s or large family child 15
care home’s plan for dealing with the water contamination problem until the family child 16
care home’s or large family child care home’s water is determined by the appropriate 17
authority to be safe for consumption; and 18

(13) A requirement that a family child care home or large family child care 19
home prohibit the administration of corporal punishment to discipline a child. 20

(d) The State Board shall adopt regulations that: 21

(1) Require a family child care provider to have a written emergency 22
preparedness plan for emergency situations that require evacuation, sheltering in place, or 23
other protection of children such as in the event of fire, natural disaste r, or other 24
threatening situation that may pose a health or safety hazard to the children in the family 25
child care home or large family child care home; 26

(2) Require the plan under item (1) of this subsection to include: 27

(i) A designated relocation site and evacuation route; 28

(ii) Procedures for notifying parents or other adults responsible for 29
the child of the relocation; 30

(iii) Procedures to address the needs of individual children including 31
children with special needs; 32

(iv) Procedures for the reassignment of staff duties during an 33
emergency, as appropriate; and 34
HOUSE BILL 1574 9

(v) Procedures for communicating with local emergency 1
management officials or other appropriate State or local authorities; and 2

(3) Require a family child care provider to train staff and ensure that staff 3
are familiar with the plan. 4

9.5–306. 5

(a) A registration under this subtitle may be revoked, a child care provider may 6
appeal from the revocation, and the operation of an unregistered family child care home 7
may be enjoined. 8

(b) (1) Revocation, appeal, or injunction under this subtitle shall be in 9
accordance with Subtitle 1 of this title AND SUBJECT TO § 9.5–306.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 10

(2) Subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Superintendent or 11
the State Su perintendent’s designee shall exercise the authority granted to the 12
Department. 13

9.5–306.1. 14

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 15
INDICATED. 16

(2) “MARYLAND EXCELS” MEANS THE TIERED QUALITY RATING AND 17
IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM F OR EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION P ROGRAMS 18
ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT. 19

(3) “PUBLISHED” MEANS A MARYLAND EXCELS STATUS 20
INDICATING THAT THE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS: 21

(I) MET THE MARYLAND EXCELS REQUIREMENTS FOR A 22
SPECIFIED QUALITY RATING; AND 23

(II) A QUALITY RATING PUBLI SHED ON THE MARYLAND 24
EXCELS PUBLIC PORTAL FOR PUBLIC VIEWING. 25

(4) “QUALITY RATING” MEANS A DETERMINATION, REPRESENTED BY 26
A NUMBER FROM 1 THROUGH 5, THAT A PARTICIPATING PROGRAM HAS MET THE 27
CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO A PARTICULAR SET OF MARYLAND EXCELS STANDARDS. 28

(B) IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT A FAMILY CHILD CARE 29
PROVIDER WITH A PUBL ISHED MARYLAND EXCELS QUALITY RATING HAS 30
VIOLATED A REQUIREME NT OF THIS TITLE OR A RULE OR REGULATION ADOPTED 31
10 HOUSE BILL 1574

UNDER THIS TITLE , THE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY SHALL NO TIFY THE FAMILY 1
CHILD CARE PROVIDER OF THE VIOLATION. 2

(C) THE DEPARTMENT AND THE FA MILY CHILD CARE PROV IDER SHALL 3
ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT DESCRIBES: 4

(1) THE NATURE OF THE VIOLATION; 5

(2) THE ACTIONS TO BE TAK EN BY THE FAMIL Y CHILD CARE 6
PROVIDER TO BECOME COMPLIANT; AND 7

(3) A PLAN FOR FOLLOW–UP BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT 8
THE FAMILY CHILD CAR E PROVIDER HAS RETUR NED TO AND REMAINS F ULLY 9
COMPLIANT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE OR A RULE OR R EGULATION 10
THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY VIOLATED. 11

(D) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 12
THE DEPARTMENT MAY REDUCE OR RESCIND A PUBLISH ED MARYLAND EXCELS 13
QUALITY RATING IF THE FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDER: 14

(I) FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT OR 15
OTHERWISE FAILS TO CURE THE INITIAL VIOLATION; OR 16

(II) FAILS OR REFUSES TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT. 17

(2) IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT THE VIOLATION DID NOT 18
INVOLVE AN IMMEDIATE RISK TO CHILD SAFETY AND THE FAMILY CHILD CARE 19
PROVIDER TIMELY RETU RNED TO COMPLIANCE , THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT 20
REDUCE THE PUBLISHED MARYLAND EXCELS QUALITY RATING OF TH E FAMILY 21
CHILD CARE PROVIDER. 22

(E) IF THE DEPARTMENT REDUCED THE PUBLISHED MARYLAND EXCELS 23
QUALITY RATING OF A FAMILY CHILD CARE PR OVIDER, WITHIN 30 DAYS O F THE 24
PROVIDER RETURNING T O COMPLIANCE BY FULF ILLING THE TERMS OF THE 25
AGREEMENT REQUIRED U NDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION , THE 26
DEPARTMENT SHALL REST ORE THE PUBLISHED MARYLAND EXCELS QUALITY 27
RATING OF THE FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDER TO THE QUALITY RATIN G EARNED 28
BEFORE THE VIOLATION OCCURRED. 29

9.5–404. 30

(a) The State Board shall adopt rules and regulations for licensing and operating 31
child care centers. 32

HOUSE BILL 1574 11

(b) These rules and regulations shall: 1

(1) Ensure safe and sanitary conditions in child care centers; 2

(2) Ensure proper care, protection, and supervision of children in child care 3
centers, INCLUDING ESTABLISHI NG PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE 4
DEPARTMENT IN RESPONSE TO A COMPLAINT ABOUT A CHILD CARE CENTER THAT: 5

(I) MAKE USE OF A UNIFORM COMPLAINT INTAKE PROC ESS; 6
AND 7

(II) IMPLEMENT A STANDARDIZED COMPLAINT PRIORITY GUIDE 8
THAT DIFFERENTIATES COMPLAINTS BY THE SE RIOUSNESS OF THE ISS UE RAISED, 9
INCLUDING DEFINED RESPONSE TIMES FOR EACH LEVEL OF COMPLAINT; 10

(3) Ensure the health of children in child care centers by: 11

(i) Monitoring children for signs and symptoms of child abuse; 12

(ii) Instructing licensees and staff concerning child abuse detection 13
and reporting; 14

(III) REQUIRING THE MAINTEN ANCE OF EMERGENCY 15
INFORMATION FROM A CHILD’S PARENT OR GUARDIAN THAT IS UPDATED AS NEEDED 16
AND REVIEWED BY THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN AT LEAST ONCE EACH YEAR; 17

[(iii)] (IV) Monitoring health practices to help prevent the spread of 18
disease; 19

[(iv)] (V) Monitoring the care of infants and children with special 20
needs; and 21

[(v)] (VI) Prohibiting the administration of corporal punishment to 22
discipline a child; 23

(4) Promote the sound growth and development of children in child care 24
centers; 25

(5) Promote proper nutrition and developmentally appropriate practices 26
by: 27

(i) Establishing training and policies promoting breast–feeding; 28

(ii) 1. Requiring compliance with the United States Department 29
of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program standards for beverages served to 30
12 HOUSE BILL 1574

children, except that milk that is not nonfat or low fat may be ordered by a health care 1
practitioner or requested by a parent or guardian; and 2

2. Prohibiting beverages other than infant formula that 3
contain added sweetener or caffeine; and 4

(iii) Setting limits on screen time; 5

(6) Carry out otherwise the purposes and requirements of this subtitle, 6
including, WHEN NECESSARY, BY ENFORCEMENT THROUGH: 7

(I) THE imposition of intermediate sanctions to ensure compliance; 8

(II) ALTERATIONS IN THE MARYLAND EXCELS QUALITY 9
RATING IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9.5–411.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 10

(III) INDIVIDUALIZED PENALT IES IN ACCORDANCE WI TH § 11
9.5–411.2 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 12

(7) Prohibit a child from remaining at a child care center for more than 14 13
hours in 1 day unless the Department issues an exception for that child based on guidelines 14
set by the State Superintendent; 15

(8) (i) Require that a child care center have in attendance at all times 16
at least 1 individual who is responsible for supervision of children, in cluding children on 17
field trips, and who holds a current certificate indicating successful completion of approved: 18

1. Basic first aid training through the American Red Cross 19
or through a program with equivalent standards; and 20

2. Cardiopulmonary r esuscitation (CPR) training through 21
the American Heart Association or through a program with equivalent standards 22
appropriate for the ages of children for whom care is provided in the child care center; and 23

(ii) Require that a child care center serving more than 20 children 24
have in attendance certificate holders described in item (i) of this item in a ratio of 25
certificate holders to children set by the Department; 26

(9) Require that [the minimum age of a child care teacher in a child care 27
center be] A CHILD CARE TEACHER IN A CHILD CARE CENTER: 28

(I) BE at least 18 years old and [an individual ] may not be 29
precluded from being a child care teacher solely for being 18 years old; AND 30

HOUSE BILL 1574 13

(II) COMPLETE BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, COMPLETE ACTIVE 1
SUPERVISION TRAINING WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER BEING HIR ED AS A CHILD CARE 2
TEACHER; AND 3

(III) MEET EXPERIENTIAL AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREM ENTS 4
THAT REQUIRE NOT MOR E THAN 6 MONTHS OR 750 HOURS OF WORK WITH Y OUNG 5
CHILDREN IN A SUPERVISORY SETTING; 6

(10) (i) Require that a child care center that receives notice of a 7
contaminated drinking water supply from the child care center’s supplier of water, in 8
accordance with § 9 –410 of the Environment Article or otherwise, send notice of the 9
drinking water contamination to the parent or legal guardian of each child attending the 10
child care center; and 11

(ii) Require that the notice sent by the child care center shall: 12

1. Be sent within 10 business days after receipt of the notice 13
of contamination from the child care center’s water supplier; 14

2. Be in writing; 15

3. Identify the contaminants and their levels in the center’s 16
water supply; and 17

4. Describe the child care center’s plan for dealing with the 18
water contamination problem until the child c are center’s water is determined by the 19
appropriate authority to be safe for consumption; 20

(11) (i) Require a child care center to have a written emergency 21
preparedness plan for emergency situations that require evacuation, sheltering in place, or 22
other protection of children, such as in the event of fire, natural disaster, or other 23
threatening situation that may pose a health or safety hazard to the children in the child 24
care center; 25

(ii) Require the plan under item (i) of this item to include: 26

1. A designated relocation site and evacuation route; 27

2. Procedures for notifying parents or other adults 28
responsible for the child of the relocation; 29

3. Procedures to address the needs of individual children, 30
including children with special needs; 31

4. Procedures for the reassignment of staff duties during an 32
emergency, as appropriate; and 33
14 HOUSE BILL 1574

5. Procedures for communicating with local emergency 1
management officials or other appropriate State or local authorities; and 2

(iii) Require a child care center to train staff and ensure that staff are 3
familiar with the plan; 4

(12) Require a child care center to have window coverings in accordance with 5
§ 5–505 of the Family Law Article; and 6

(13) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, est ablish probationary 7
employment qualifications for an individual who is applying for the first time to be a child 8
care teacher in a child care center in the State that serves preschool or school–age children 9
who are at least 3 years old. 10

(c) (1) The proba tionary employment qualifications established under 11
subsection (b)(13) of this section shall allow an individual to be employed as a child care 12
teacher during a probationary period if the individual: 13

(i) 1. Is enrolled in approved pre–service training; 14

2. Successfully completes the required 90 hours of the 15
approved pre–service training within 6 months after being hired; and 16

3. Holds an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in: 17

A. Early childhood education; 18

B. Elementary education; 19

C. Child development; 20

D. Home economics; 21

E. Nursing; 22

F. Social work; 23

G. Special education; or 24

H. A related field approved by the Department; or 25

(ii) 1. Is enrolled in approved pre–service training; 26

2. Has successfully completed at least 45 hours of the 27
approved pre–service training at the time the child care center hires the individual; 28

HOUSE BILL 1574 15

3. Successfully completes the remaining hours of the 1
pre–service training within 6 months after being hired; and 2

4. Holds an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in a field 3
other than a field listed under item (i)3 of this paragraph. 4

(2) If, at the end of the 6 –month probationary period, an individual 5
described in paragraph (1) of this subsection has not completed the re quired pre–service 6
training, the child care center shall, with no further cause, terminate the individual or 7
reassign the individual to a nonteaching position. 8

9.5–411. 9

(a) Subject to the hearing requirements of this section, the Department may deny 10
a license or letter of compliance to any applicant or deny approval for a change under § 11
9.5–408 of this subtitle if the applicant or proposed change does not meet the requirements 12
of this subtitle. 13

(b) (1) Subject to the hearing requirements of this section and § 9.5–415 of this 14
subtitle AND EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, the State 15
Superintendent may suspend or revoke a license or letter of compliance if the licensee: 16

[(1)] (I) Violates a provision of this subtitle or any rule or regulation 17
adopted under it; or 18

[(2)] (II) Does not meet the current requirements for a new license or 19
letter of compliance. 20

(2) IF A LICENSEE OR LETT ER HOLDER VIOLATES A RULE OR 21
REGULATION ADOPTED UNDER THIS TITLE WITH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ADOPTION 22
BY THE DEPARTMENT: 23

(I) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATI ON, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 24
WARN THE LICENSEE OR LETTER HOLDER AND DI SCUSS THE TERMS OF T HE NEW 25
RULE OR REGULATION; AND 26

(II) FOR SUBSEQUENT VIOLAT IONS, THE DEPARTMENT MAY 27
IMPOSE ON THE LICENS EE OR LETTER H OLDER A PENALTY AUTH ORIZED UNDER 28
THIS TITLE. 29

(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, before 30
any action is taken under this section, the State Superintendent shall give the individual 31
against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a public hearing before the 32
State Superintendent. 33

16 HOUSE BILL 1574

(2) The hearing notice to be given to the individual shall be sent at least 10 1
days before the hearing. 2

(3) The individual may be represented at the hearing by counsel. 3

(d) (1) (i) The State Superintendent may suspend the license or letter of 4
compliance to operate a child care center on an emergency basis when the State 5
Superintendent determines that this action is required to protect the health, safety, or 6
welfare of a child in the child care center. 7

(ii) When the State Superintendent suspends a license or letter of 8
compliance on an emergency basis, the State Superintendent shall deliver written notice of 9
the suspension to the licensee stating the regulatory basis for the suspension. 10

(2) (i) Upon delivery of the emergency suspension notice, the licensee 11
or letter holder shall cease immediately operation of the child care center. 12

(ii) The licensee or letter holder may request a hearing before the 13
State Superintendent. 14

(3) (i) If a hearing is requested by the licensee or letter holder, the State 15
Superintendent shall hold a hearing within 7 calendar days of the request for a hearing. 16
The hearing shall be held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. 17

(ii) Within 7 calendar days of the hearing a decision concerning the 18
emergency suspension shall be made by the State Superintendent. 19

(4) If the emergency suspension order is upheld by the State 20
Superintendent, the licensee or letter holder shall continue to cease operations until it is 21
determined that the health, safety, or welfare of a child in the child care center is no longer 22
threatened. 23

(5) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the State Superintendent to 24
uphold an emergency suspension may appeal that decision directly to the circuit court in 25
the county in which the child care center is located. 26

(e) The State Superintendent may petition the circuit court in the county in which 27
the child care center is located to enjoin the activities and operations o f a person who 28
operates a child care center without a license or letter of compliance as required by this 29
subtitle, including when a license or letter of compliance has been denied, revoked, or 30
suspended in accordance with this subtitle. 31

9.5–411.1. 32

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 33
INDICATED. 34

HOUSE BILL 1574 17

(2) “MARYLAND EXCELS” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9.5–306.1 1
OF THIS TITLE. 2

(3) “PUBLISHED” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9.5–306.1 OF THIS 3
TITLE. 4

(4) “QUALITY RATING” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 9.5–306.1 OF 5
THIS TITLE. 6

(B) IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT A CHILD CARE CE NTER WITH 7
A PUBLISHED MARYLAND EXCELS QUALITY RATING HAS V IOLATED A 8
REQUIREMENT OF THIS TITLE OR A RULE OR R EGULATION ADOPTED UN DER THIS 9
TITLE, THE DEPARTMENT IM MEDIATELY SHALL NOTI FY THE OPERATOR OF T HE 10
CHILD CARE CENTER OF THE VIOLATION. 11

(C) THE DEPARTMENT AND THE OP ERATOR OF THE CHILD CARE CENTER 12
SHALL ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT DESCRIBES: 13

(1) THE NATURE OF THE VIOLATION; 14

(2) THE ACTIONS TO BE TAK EN B Y THE CHILD CARE CEN TER TO 15
BECOME COMPLIANT; AND 16

(3) A PLAN FOR FOLLOW–UP BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT 17
THE CHILD CARE CENTER HAS RETURNED TO AND REMAINS FULLY COMPLIANT WITH 18
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE OR A RULE OR REGULATION THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY 19
VIOLATED. 20

(D) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 21
THE DEPARTMENT MAY REDUCE OR RESCIND A PUBLISH ED MARYLAND EXCELS 22
QUALITY RATING IF THE CHILD CARE CENTER: 23

(I) FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT OR 24
OTHERWISE FAILS TO CURE THE INITIAL VIOLATION; OR 25

(II) FAILS OR REFUSES TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT. 26

(2) IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT THE VIOLATION DID NOT 27
INVOLVE AN IMMEDIATE RISK TO CHILD SAFETY AND THE CHILD CARE C ENTER 28
TIMELY RETURNED TO C OMPLIANCE, THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT REDUCE THE 29
PUBLISHED MARYLAND EXCELS QUALITY RATING OF THE CHILD CARE CENTER. 30

18 HOUSE BILL 1574

(E) IF THE DEPARTMENT REDUCES THE PUBLISHED MARYLAND EXCELS 1
QUALITY RATING OF A CHILD CARE CENTER, WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE CENTE R 2
RETURNS TO COMPLIANC E BY FULFIL LING THE TERMS OF TH E AGREEMENT 3
REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (C) OF THIS SECTION , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 4
RESTORE THE PUBLISHE D MARYLAND EXCELS QUALITY RATING OF TH E CHILD 5
CARE CENTER TO THE Q UALITY RATING EARNED BEFORE THE VIOLATION 6
OCCURRED. 7

(F) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION MAY BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE ABILITY 8
OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO SUS PEND A LICENSE OR LE TTER OF 9
COMPLIANCE ON AN EME RGENCY BASIS TO PROT ECT THE HEALTH , SAFETY, OR 10
WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9.5–411 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 11

9.5–411.2. 12

(A) IN THIS SECTION, “FAILURE TO SUPERVISE” MEANS THE FAILURE OF AN 13
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING TH E WELL –BEING OF CHILDREN TO 14
MONITOR PROPERLY OR PROTECT THE CHILDREN IN THE INDIVIDUAL’S CARE. 15

(B) IF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT DETERMINES THA T AN INDIVIDUAL 16
MAY NOT BE EMPLOYED BY A CHILD CARE OPER ATOR DUE TO A FINDIN G OF A 17
FAILURE TO SUPERVISE , THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL PROVIDE WRITTEN 18
NOTICE TO THE INDIVI DUAL AND THE CHILD C ARE CENTER OPERATOR THAT 19
INCLUDES: 20

(1) A STATEMENT OF THE FINDING; AND 21

(2) THE REASONS FOR THE FINDING. 22

(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAINTAIN A LIST OF INDIV IDUALS WHO ARE 23
PROHIBITED FROM EMPLOYMENT IN A CHILD CA RE CENTER DUE TO A F AILURE TO 24
SUPERVISE UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 25

(D) (1) AN INDIVIDUAL PR OHIBITED FROM EMPLOY MENT ON THE LIST 26
UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION MAY REQUEST A CONDUCT 27
REASSESSMENT AND REMOVAL FROM THE LIST IF THE INDIVIDUAL: 28

(I) SUBMITS A WRITTEN REQ UEST TO THE DEPARTMENT, 29
INCLUDING ANY DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT; 30

(II) COMPLETES ACTIVE SUPERVISION TRAINING APPROVED BY 31
THE DEPARTMENT; AND 32

HOUSE BILL 1574 19

(III) COMPLETES ANY OTHER C ORRECTIVE ACTIONS REQUIRED 1
BY THE DEPARTMENT. 2

(2) IF AN INDIVIDUAL UNDE R PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION 3
COMPLETES THE REQUIREMENTS ESTABLI SHED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE 4
SATISFACTION OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT, THE INDIVIDUAL SHALL BE 5
REMOVED FROM THE LIST UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION AND ELIGIBLE 6
FOR EMPLOYMENT AT A CHILD CARE CENTER. 7

(E) IF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT DETERMINES THAT A VIOLATION OF 8
THIS TITLE OR A RULE OR REGULATION ADOPTED UNDER THIS TITLE FOR A FAILURE 9
TO SUPERVISE WAS DUE ONLY TO THE CONDUCT OF AN INDIVIDUAL PRO HIBITED 10
FROM EMPLOYMENT UNDE R SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION , THE STATE 11
SUPERINTENDENT MAY NOT SANCTION T HE CHILD CARE CENTER FOR THE 12
VIOLATION. 13

(F) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION MAY BE CONSTRUED TO LIMIT THE ABILITY 14
OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT TO SUS PEND A LICENSE OR LE TTER OF 15
COMPLIANCE ON AN EME RGENCY BASIS TO PROT ECT THE HEALTH , SAFETY, OR 16
WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9.5–411 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 17

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 18

(a) There is a Workgroup to Study Illegally Provided Child Care. 19

(b) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 20

(1) two members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 21
the Senate; 22

(2) two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of 23
the House; 24

(3) the State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee; 25

(4) the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee; 26

(5) one representative of the Maryland Family Network, designated by the 27
Executive Director of the Maryland Family Network; 28

(6) one representative of the Maryland State Child Care Association, 29
designated by the President of the Maryland State Child Care Association; 30

20 HOUSE BILL 1574

(7) one representative of the Maryland State Family Child Care 1
Association, designated by the President of the Maryland State Family Child Care 2
Association; 3

(8) one representative of the Maryland Head Start Association, designated 4
by the President of the Maryland Head Start Association; 5

(9) one representative of the Latino Child Care Association of Maryland, 6
Inc., designated by the President of the Latino Child C are Association of Maryland, Inc.; 7
and 8

(10) the following members appointed by the Governor: 9

(i) two parents of children enrolled in the Child Care Scholarship 10
Program; 11

(ii) two representatives from child care providers that: 12

1. serve children under the age of 5 years; and 13

2. accept scholarships from the Child Care Scholarship 14
Program; 15

(iii) one representative of a labor union that represents child care 16
workers; 17

(iv) two representatives of law enforcement; and 18

(v) two nonv oting representatives of national child care policy 19
organizations with expertise in state child care financing models. 20

(c) The State Superintendent of Schools shall designate the chair of the 21
Workgroup. 22

(d) The State Department of Education shall provide staff for the Workgroup. 23

(e) A member of the Workgroup: 24

(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 25

(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 26
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 27

(f) The Workgroup shall study and make recommendations about the scale and 28
impacts of illegally provided child care in the State, including: 29

HOUSE BILL 1574 21

(1) the number, geographic location, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, 1
and disability status of children who lack access to safe, regulated child care; 2

(2) the impact of illegally provided care on family child care homes, large 3
family child care homes, child care centers, and the child care industry as a whole; 4

(3) barriers to registration or licensure for child care providers and the best 5
practices to remove identified barriers, including greater assistance to providers, improved 6
communication between regulators and providers, or regulatory or statutory changes; 7

(4) the distinct, documented r isks to the health and safety of children of 8
illegally provided child care and potential health and safety risks that illegally provided 9
child care could pose to children; and 10

(5) any legal changes necessary to prevent illegally provided child care, 11
including any statutory or regulatory changes necessary to ease the investigation and 12
enforcement of existing State law. 13

(g) (1) On or before January 1, 2027, the Workgroup shall submit an interim 14
report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor a nd, in accordance with § 15
2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 16

(2) On or before December 1, 2028, the Workgroup shall submit a final 17
report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 18
2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. 19

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 20

(a) The State Department of Education and the Office of the Child Care Advocacy 21
Council jointly shall review: 22

(1) the impact of the rating reductions for Maryland EXCELS; and 23

(2) experiential education requirements for child care providers. 24

(b) In conducting the review, the report from the Office of Program Evaluation 25
and Government Accountability of the Department of Legislative Services titled 26
“Evaluation of the Division of Early Childhood” shall be considered. 27

(c) On or before December 1, 2027, the Department shall report to the General 28
Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: 29

(1) findings from the review; and 30

(2) recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes to address 31
workforce and licensing challenges. 32

22 HOUSE BILL 1574

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 1
1, 2026. Section 2 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of 3 2 years and, at the end 2
of June 30, 2029 2028, Section 2 of this Act, with no further action required by the General 3
Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 4

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.