Florida subcommittee advances bill to update child care rules and create early-learning endowment

Representative McFarland introduced HB 765, saying it would remove Department of Children and Families licensure requirements for before-and-after school programs run at public elementary schools, extend residential property insurance protections to large family child care homes, and create an early learning endowment and a center for early childhood professional recognition.

The sponsor told members the bill "removes from DCF licensure requirements the before and after care programs that are operated at our public elementary schools" and "creates an early learning endowment fund" intended to allow private or public funds to help families with child care costs. Representative McFarland also said the measure updates statutory language to replace older references to "daycare" with "childcare."

During questions members pressed for details on the brochure and inspection provisions and the endowment's distribution. Representative McFarland said the amendment equalizes prior disparate brochure and inspection requirements so that family care homes and large family care homes are treated the same, and acknowledged the endowment language needs further work in education subcommittee.

The committee adopted an amendment (barcode 932349) that expands the measure's statutory updates and adjusts endowment distribution language. There was no public testimony on the bill as amended.

Representative Escamani expressed support for efforts to increase affordability and private-sector incentives for child care. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 765 favorably, 15 yeas and 0 nays.

Next steps: HB 765 was reported favorably by the subcommittee and will proceed to subsequent committee consideration for additional drafting and potential policy changes noted by the sponsor.