All Roll Calls
Yes: 272 • No: 43
KansasHB 20452025–2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Reducing certain license fees and training requirements for child care staff, creating a process for day care facility licensees to apply for temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements, authorizing the secretary of health and environment to develop and operate pilot programs to increase child care availability or capacity, transferring certain child care programs to the Kansas office of early childhood and creating day care licensing duties of the director of early childhood.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
financial institutions and insuranceinsurance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
16 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.
Faster, cheaper licenses for workers
Licensing bodies must give paper and verified electronic credentials, and issue both once a complete application is filed. If funded, a free, uniform license-verification portal runs by January 1, 2025. Kansas must issue a license within 15 days for military members or spouses and within 45 days for other eligible out‑of‑state applicants; a probationary license can last up to six months. If your out‑of‑state scope differs, you get a temporary permit while you finish Kansas steps, unless that would risk public safety. You can qualify with three of the last four years of work in a non‑licensed state, or with a valid private certification plus two years’ experience, if you meet the listed checks. Extra tests or training are limited to real Kansas law differences. Military spouses of active service members pay no licensing or background‑check fees. Agencies also file yearly reports on counts and processing times.
State-backed parent education through schools
Beginning July 1, 2026, school districts may run or contract for parent education programs and apply for state grants. The state board sets rules, reviews needs, approves programs, and sets funding priorities; districts must submit an application and program description for approval. Grants depend on available funds and cannot exceed a district’s actual costs; if money is short, awards are prorated and reported to lawmakers. Districts must budget the grants and send performance and financial reports. The state can provide technical help on request, and a committee reviews pre‑K equity every two years. The law also defines key terms used for this program.
No pay for empty child care slots
Beginning July 1, 2026, agencies may not use federal or appropriation‑based child care funds to reimburse providers for unfilled slots. Providers can be paid if a child is temporarily absent and intends to return.
Stricter background checks and fingerprint fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, the state runs national fingerprint‑based background checks for child care workers. A facility may not employ people with listed crimes, sex‑offender registration, substantiated abuse or neglect without corrective action, certain court orders or terminations of parental rights, or similar disqualifiers. The director sets a fee for fingerprinting, and the money goes into the day care criminal background and fingerprinting fund.
Stronger child care space and safety rules
Starting July 1, 2026, centers must provide at least 28 square feet of indoor activity space per child and 60 square feet of outdoor play space per child using the area at once. Centers must meet local fire, water, and sewage rules and follow safe‑sleep practices for babies under 12 months. Children must have current immunizations unless a doctor certifies a medical exemption or a parent provides a written religious exemption. Missing immunization records alone cannot be the only reason to revoke a license.
Waivers and pilots to expand child care
Licensed providers can request time‑limited waivers from specific statutes using an approved form. The state also runs pilot programs to increase child care availability or capacity and may license pilot sites under waived rules with alternate safety terms. Licenses must be denied if children’s health, safety, or welfare would be at risk. Pilots can last up to five licensure years, with up to two more years for prior participants, and funding depends on legislative appropriations. Administration moves to the early childhood director on July 1, 2026.
New daycare licensing, inspections, and fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, you must have a state license or temporary permit to run a day care. The director can issue a 90‑day temporary permit, extend it once, and give a no‑fee temporary license if final approval cannot be made in 30 days. There is no annual license fee for day care facilities; late renewal is $75 or the renewal fee, whichever is larger, and amended licenses cost up to $35. Facilities get inspected at least once a year, must fix cited issues within five days, and face fines of $5–$50 per day and possible closure for continued violations. A revoked or denied license brings a one‑year reapply ban, and repeat or severe harm cases face a permanent bar; day cares may not care for adults unless rules allow it.
New Early Childhood Office runs child care
Kansas creates the Office of Early Childhood to run child care and related programs. A director is appointed by the Governor, with Senate approval, and program transfers begin by July 1, 2026. The office takes over licensing, subsidies, home visitation, and the children’s cabinet, and must file an annual report by January 20 each year. Staff, funds, and records move to the new office, and employees keep their benefits. The director may charge small fees for paper processing and cannot require any curriculum for licensed providers.
Child care ombudsman to help families
Starting July 1, 2026, a child care ombudsman handles complaints and concerns. The office can investigate issues, coordinate with agencies, and appeal license revocations to the director. The ombudsman files an annual report.
Fewer barriers to run child care homes
The state may not require a child care home licensee to live in the home. The rule that operators must be high‑school graduates ends June 30, 2026. The state also may not restrict use of 15‑passenger vans bought on or before July 1, 2025.
Parent notice and privacy protections
From July 1, 2026, the state notifies agencies of license actions, and affected facilities must notify parents in writing. No one may place a child under 16 in an unlicensed day care. Facilities must keep required records on free state forms, and those records are confidential under the open records law until July 1, 2031 unless extended.
Simpler rules for small, informal child care
If you care for four or fewer children under 35 hours a week, with no more than two unrelated infants, you do not need a license. Care in a child’s own home and friend‑or‑neighbor care remain outside licensure. Families who teach only their own children are also exempt from child care licensing. Starting July 1, 2026, the Director of Early Childhood oversees day care facility laws. If the director’s agent files a complaint, county or district attorneys must prosecute. Some older child care and parent‑education statutes are repealed now and on July 1, 2026 to fit the new system.
Stronger oversight of children's cabinet funds
The law creates a children’s initiatives accountability fund in the early childhood office. The Governor recommends, and the Legislature provides, money to evaluate programs that use children’s initiatives funds. The legislative post auditor may perform performance audits requested by the children’s cabinet and paid from this fund.
Monthly interest to youth endowment
By the 10th of each month, the state transfers interest from the Children’s Initiatives Accountability Fund to the Kansas Endowment for Youth Fund. The amount equals last month’s average daily balance times the pooled money portfolio’s net earnings rate. This keeps investment earnings flowing into the youth endowment.
Simpler staff and training rules for centers
Starting July 1, 2026, each center must have a director or lead teacher who is at least 18, has a high school diploma or equivalent, and meets one of several education or experience paths. Assistant teachers may be 16 or older, and the state cannot require education for them. Home providers must complete 8–10 training hours each licensure year after July 1, 2025, including up to four outside training hours, and at least three infant‑specific hours if one provider cares for four infants at once. Waivers can be granted case by case.
Definitions updated for child care licensing
On July 1, 2026, the law updates definitions used in licensing, such as assistant teacher, child care center or home, lead teacher, infant, and youth development program. The term “child care facility” no longer includes “day care facility” or child resource and referral agency. The old “day care facility” definition subsection expires on July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 30 Nay: 10
Yes: 30 • No: 10
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 39 Nay: 0
Yes: 39 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 104 Nay: 10
Yes: 104 • No: 10
House vote • 4/23/2026
Yea: 99 Nay: 23
Yes: 99 • No: 23
Actions Timeline
Motion to suspend Joint Rule 4 (k) to allow consideration adopted;
4/11/2025HouseConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea: 99 Nay: 23
4/11/2025HouseEngrossed on Monday, April 14, 2025
4/11/2025HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 18, 2025
4/11/2025HouseApproved by Governor on Thursday, April 24, 2025
4/11/2025HouseConference committee report now available
4/10/2025SenateMotion to suspend Joint Rule 4 (k) to allow consideration adopted;
4/10/2025SenateConference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Senator Gossage, Senator Clifford and Senator Sykes appointed as second conferees
4/10/2025SenateConference Committee Report agree to disagree adopted; Representative Tarwater, Representative Turk and Representative Sawyer Clayton appointed as second conferees
4/10/2025HouseConference committee report now available
4/10/2025SenateConference Committee Report was adopted; Yea: 30 Nay: 10
4/10/2025SenateRepresentative Tarwater, Representative Turk, and Representative Sawyer Clayton are appointed to replace Representative Sutton, Representative Bergkamp, and Representative Neighbor on the Conference Committee
3/27/2025HouseSenator Sykes is appointed to replace Senator Holscher on the Conference Committee
3/27/2025SenateSenator Gossage, Senator Clifford, and Senator Holscher are appointed to replace Senator Dietrich, Senator Fagg, and Senator Francisco on the Conference Committee
3/26/2025SenateNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed Representative Sutton , Representative Bergkamp and Representative Neighbor as conferees
3/17/2025HouseMotion to accede adopted; Senator Dietrich, Senator Fagg and Senator Francisco appointed as conferees
3/17/2025SenateFinal Action - Passed as amended; Yea: 39 Nay: 0
3/13/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
3/12/2025SenateCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
3/12/2025SenateCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance
3/6/2025SenateHearing: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 9:30 AM Room 546-S
3/4/2025SenateHearing: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 9:30 AM Room 546-S
2/26/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance
2/10/2025SenateFinal Action - Passed; Yea: 104 Nay: 10
2/7/2025HouseReceived and Introduced
2/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Amended by Senate Committee
As introduced
Enrolled
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