WHEREAS, the Commonwealth requires licensure for most child day programs in an effort to protect the safety and well-being of children receiving care in such programs; and

WHEREAS, §63.2-1715 of the Code of Virginia currently exempts from the licensure requirement 14 categories of child day programs; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of all categories of child day programs exempt from licensure, along with recommendations regarding whether such programs should remain exempt, is necessary to ensure the continued protection of the children receiving care in such programs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Department of Social Services be requested to study child day programs exempt from licensure.

In conducting its study, the Department of Social Services shall (i) review all categories of child day programs exempt from licensure under §63.2-1715 of the Code of Virginia, (ii) formulate recommendations regarding whether such programs should remain exempt from licensure or whether any modifications are necessary to protect the health and well-being of the children receiving care in such programs, and (iii) consult with all relevant stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Department of Social Services, Virginia Catholic Conference, Old Dominion Assembly of Church Schools, Virginia Council for Private Education, American Montessori Society, Virginia Association of Independent Schools, Virginia Association of Counties, Virginia Municipal League, YMCA, Child Care Aware of Virginia, Voices for Virginia's Children, and other interested stakeholders.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of Social Services for this study, upon request.

The Department of Social Services shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2016, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.