Committee advances bill letting deployed family childcare providers name substitutes for up to 45 days

The Ways and Means Committee childcare subcommittee advanced HB 430 on a unanimous voice vote after adopting an amendment clarifying that the state may continue to set substitute-provider qualifications.

The bill, introduced as Delegate Ken Kerr's measure, would let a family childcare provider who is called up for active military reserve duty designate a substitute provider to cover up to 45 days in a 12-month period. "The bill is a bill that says if a child a family childcare provider is in the military reserves and they're called up to active military reserve duty, that they can designate a substitute child care provider who will work for not more than 45 days in a 12 month period," said Alastair, staff briefing the committee.

Alastair told the committee the amendment preserves the department's authority to require background checks, first-aid training and other experience or educational qualifications for substitutes. "This is only touching the limit on the days," he said, noting that current regulations limit substitute providers to 20 days in a 12-month period.

Committee members voiced support for the measure while raising questions about whether a 45-day cap would be enough in some deployment scenarios. "Do they have the ability to already go through, like, the background check and things like that, and all the requirements so that they're ready to step in right away?" asked Delegate Miller; Alastair replied that substitutes must already have completed background checks to qualify.

Delegate Plakowichkar said she supported the bill but asked whether the 45-day period "actually fully meet[s] the needs of a provider who might be deployed," adding that she did not see testimony addressing the interval. Alastair said the Maryland Military Coalition provided written testimony supporting the bill and requesting a clarifying amendment to preserve safety requirements, but that the coalition's testimony did not address whether 45 days is sufficient; staff offered to follow up with stakeholders.

After discussion, a motion to move the amendment was made and seconded; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote with no opposition recorded. A motion to move HB 430 as amended also passed on a unanimous voice vote, and Chair said staff will follow up with stakeholders if the committee needs further clarification.

The bill now moves forward in the legislative process as amended. The committee recorded no roll-call tallies in this proceeding and did not specify a cross-file or next hearing date during the meeting.

Issues raised for follow-up include whether a 45-day substitute cap is sufficient in all deployment circumstances and confirmation that pre-designated substitutes can complete required checks in advance so they may begin work without delay.