(Feb. 27, 2025) – Today, the House Commerce Committee, chaired by Representative Sean Tarwater (R-Stillwell), held a hearing on House Bill 2294. The legislation reduces certain license fees and training requirements for staff of child care centers, creates a process for daycare facility licensees to apply for a temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements, authorizes the secretary to develop and operate pilot programs to increase child care facility availability or capacity, transfers certain child care programs to the Kansas Early Childhood Developmental Services and separates licensing duties between the secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the executive director of Kansas Early Childhood Developmental Services.
The committee members heard from the following proponent conferees:
- Senator Tory Blew (R-Great Bend)
- Zack Vincent, Governor's Office
- Jason Watkins, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
- William Wilk, Kansas Chamber of Commerce
- Christy Smith, ChildCare Aware of Kansas
- John Wilson, Kansas Action for Children
- Wendy Doyle, UnitedWe
- Joyce Glasscock, Kansas Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
- Jennifer Brunning, Kansas Alliance of YMCAs
- Melissa Rooker, Kansas Children's Cabinet
The committee heard from one opponent,Tiffany Manis, Family Childcare Providers.
The committee will meet again next week.