An Act to ensure the health and safety of children

HD 185 defines "private child care program" to clarify which facilities it covers (e.g., nurseries caring for children under 7, or under 16 with special needs, outside of parental care), excluding licensed programs and older children. It requires these programs to adopt health/safety policies, have staff complete annual department-provided training, and follow specific regulations on staff-to-child ratios, infant limits, and civil fines (capped at $250 per violation). The department must create these regulations, provide consultation to programs, and conduct a 5-year review. The bill also mandates the department to collect and publish online information about child care providers, including their licensing status and compliance with health/safety rules. This directly affects unlicensed private child care programs and their staff, with enforcement by the department.