Pilot programs; waivers of license requirements; granted by the secretary; five-year license limitation; exceptions; recommendations to legislature; administration by the director of early childhood on and after July 1, 2026.

65-542. Pilot programs; licensure; waivers of license requirements; licenses and waivers to be granted by the secretary; five-year license limitation; exceptions; recommendations to legislature; administration by the director of early childhood on and after July 1, 2026. (a) (1) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the secretary of health and environment may develop and operate pilot programs designed to increase the availability or capacity of day care facilities in the state. Such pilot programs may request state funding for operations, subject to appropriations. (2) The secretary may grant licensure to a person to maintain a day care facility or youth development program in a pilot program under this section that waives the requirements of this act or rules and regulations related to licensure and operation of a day care facility or youth development program, including requirements for staff at such day care facility or youth development program. A day care facility or youth development program granted a license under this section shall comply with any alternative terms, conditions and requirements set by the secretary as may be necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of any children who attend such day care facility or youth development program. (3) The secretary shall not grant a license under this section if the secretary determines that a day care facility or youth development program or staff of such facility or program would endanger the health, safety and welfare of any child. (b) The secretary may grant licensure to a person to maintain a day care facility or youth development program under this section for up to five licensure years, except that the secretary may grant an additional two years of licensure to any facility or program that participated in a pilot program pursuant to subsection (c). (c) If the secretary determines that a pilot program has been successful and will increase the availability or capacity of child care facilities in the state, the secretary shall make suggestions and recommendations to the legislature for statutory changes relating to day care facilities or youth development programs. (d) On and after July 1, 2026, this section shall be administered by the director of early childhood. (e) From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, this section shall be a part of and supplemental to article 5 of chapter 65 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto. History: L. 2025, ch. 118, § 6; July 1. Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026