The 2015-16 legislative session ended on August 31st, and three child care bills moved on to Governor Brown for his consideration. Two bills have already been signed, and decisions regarding the third bill must be made by September 30th. Bills that are signed will take effect January 1st.

Here’s some general information about the three child care bills that were presented to Governor Brown for consideration:

1.     AB2231 Calderon: This bill would increase the amount of civil penalties to be imposed for a licensing violation under those provisions, and would impose civil penalties for a repeat violation of those provisions, as specified. The bill would delete the provisions that authorize the department to impose those civil penalties, and instead require the imposition of those civil penalties under those provisions.

This bill is designed to increase the accountability of the licensee. If signed, there will be impacts to the provider community including increased fines and penalties for significant health and safety violations.

2.     AB2036 Lopez: This bill would require an online child care job posting service providing online information about non-licensed potential child care providers to include a specified statement regarding the trustline registry on its website in California. The bill would also require an online child care job posting service providing online information about licensed potential child care providers to include a statement regarding a parent’s right to specified complaint information on its website in California. If an online child care job posting service provides access to a background check, the bill would require the service to include, on its website in California, a written description of the background check provided by the background check service provider.

This is an important consumer protection bill. It will help parents make more informed decisions by ensuring that, regardless of what website they’re using to search for child care providers, they have access to complaint information and background checks. Governor Brown signed this bill into law on September 23, 2016.

3.    AB1712 Olbernolte: This bill would authorize the contractors to use a digital signature, as provided, and would require that the use of a digital signature have the same force and effect as a manual signature if specified requirements are met.

This bill would expand the use of electronic records in state funded child care programs. It is a follow up to legislation signed into law last year. This one’s pretty straightforward: It’s an industry bill stating that electronic signatures can be substituted for handwritten ones. This bill was signed into law by Governor Brown on September 13, 2016.

Be on the lookout for news about whether the Governor signed the Calderon bill at the end of this month. And remember: Parents have the right to get information about any substantiated or inconclusive complaints about a child care provider. This information is public and you can get it by contacting your local Community Care Licensing office at (424) 301-3077,(323) 981-3350, or (951) 782-4200. Click here for more information. If you do not live in CCRC’s service area, please locate your local Resource & Referral agency here.