In departmental powers and duties as to licensing, providing for power of department to require insurance and for notification of child care closure.
Summary
HB2492 would amend Pennsylvania’s Human Services Code to give the Department of Human Services new authority over child care center licensing and closure procedures. First, the bill allows the department to require child care centers to maintain surety bonds, insurance, or financial reserves that it deems necessary to ensure the center can continue operating for the period required under existing law. The bill sets a floor for that protection by requiring coverage or reserves equal to at least 30 days of operating costs, including wages and other expenses.
Second, the bill creates a new notice requirement for child care centers and family child care homes that plan to close or stop operating. They would have to give written notice at least 30 days in advance to the department, employees, and parents or guardians, and include a plan for storing and preserving required records. If they fail to provide the notice, they could be liable to parents or guardians for child care expenses or lost wages incurred during each day of the violation. The notice requirement would not apply to closures caused by a governor-declared disaster emergency.
Impact
The bill would expand the Department of Human Services’ regulatory authority over child care providers by expressly authorizing it to require financial safeguards as a condition of operation. It would also create a new statutory closure-notification obligation for child care centers and family child care homes, along with a private liability remedy for affected parents or guardians. In practical terms, the measure would affect licensing, compliance, financial planning, and shutdown procedures for child care providers across Pennsylvania.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the available context, the measure appears to be framed as a consumer- and family-protection bill aimed at preventing abrupt child care closures and ensuring continuity of care. The sponsors and listed co-sponsors suggest support for stronger oversight and advance notice requirements in the child care sector. No committee transcript or vote data is available, so there is no recorded debate or roll-call sentiment in the provided materials.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are the new financial requirements and the liability exposure created by the bill. Child care operators may view the insurance, surety bond, or reserve mandate as costly or burdensome, especially for smaller providers, while supporters are likely to argue that the requirements protect families and workers from sudden closures. The 30-day notice rule and damages for noncompliance could also be debated as either a necessary safeguard or an overly punitive enforcement mechanism, particularly for family child care homes and centers facing financial distress.
In departmental powers and duties as to supervision, providing for Keystone STARS Program; and, in departmental powers and duties as to licensing, further providing for fees, providing for Keystone STARS Program and further providing for definition.