HB4587eng 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4587 Engrossed LRB104 16993 AAS 30407 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Child Care Act of 1969 is amended by adding Sections 6.3 and 6.5 as follows:

(225 ILCS 10/6.3 new)

Sec. 6.3. Child care director educational qualifications. Child care directors hired on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly shall meet the following educational requirements:

(1) a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college or university in child development or early childhood education; or

(2) the equivalent (defined as 64 semester hours or 96 quarter hours in any discipline, with a minimum of 21 semester hours or 31.5 quarter hours from an accredited college or university in courses related to child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education) and one of the following:

(A) Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential;

(B) 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours of college credit in administration, leadership, or management; or

(C) 3 points of credential-approved training in administration, leadership, or management.

(225 ILCS 10/6.5 new)

Sec. 6.5. Qualifications for interim conditional child care directors.

(a) A licensed day care center may hire an individual who is in the process of completing the educational requirements set forth in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e)(2) as an interim conditional child care director for a period of 12 months. An individual hired pursuant to this Section shall provide documentation that shows that the individual is enrolled in courses at an accredited college or university that meet the requirements set forth in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e)(2).

(b) During the 12-month employment period, an interim conditional child care director with any of the following qualifications is exempt from the educational requirements set forth in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e)(2):

(1) At least 2 years or 3,120 clock hours as an early childhood teacher at the licensed day care center where the individual shall serve as an interim conditional child care director and has at least 64 semester hours or 96 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university in any discipline, with a minimum of 15 semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours in courses related to early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education, and (i) a Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential, (ii) 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university in administration, leadership, or management, or (iii) 3 points of credential-approved training in administration, leadership, or management. A person who is exempt under this paragraph shall obtain a total of at least 21 semester hours or 31.5 quarter hours in courses related to early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education by the end of the prescribed 12-month period; or

(2) At least 2 years or 3,120 clock hours as an early childhood teacher at the licensed day care center where the individual shall serve as an interim conditional child care director and has at least 64 semester hours or 96 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university in any discipline, with a minimum of 21 semester hours or 31.5 quarter hours in courses related to early childhood education, child development, or early childhood special education and without (i) a Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential, (ii) 3 semester hours or 4.5 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university in administration, leadership, or management, or (iii) 3 points of credential-approved training in administration, leadership, or management. A person who is exempt under this paragraph shall obtain the Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential, semester or quarter hours, or points of training during the prescribed 12-month period.

(c) Only a licensed day care center that has already employed at least one fully qualified and credentialed child care director may hire an interim conditional child care director.

(d) Any licensed day care center that employs an interim conditional child care director is restricted to hiring no more than 2 interim conditional child care directors for every credentialed and qualified child care director employed.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.