5/10/24 ECEA Child Care Update

Colorado's Legislative Session is Over

Here's what passed!

SB24-002 - Private child care property tax incentives available when localities name child care as an area of local concern.

HB24-1223 - Largest impacts are that this bill (and Federal law) require CCCAP to be paid in advance and based on enrollment rather than attendance. Keeps parent copays at 7%.

HB24-1312 - Created a $1,200 refundable tax credit for care workers that have worked for a licensed program for the tax year (at least 720 hours during the tax year). Can be taken in addition to the Early Childhood Professional tax credit. Credit available for 2024-2028 tax years.

HB24-1055 - The bill changes the child restraint system requirements in existing law as follows:

Increases the age at which children are required to use a child restraint system from under 8 years of age to under 9 years of age and adds that a child under 57 inches in height, regardless of age, must use a child restrain system;

Increases the age, from under one year of age to under 2 years of age, and the weight, from under 20 pounds to under 40 pounds, of children who must be restrained in a rear-facing child restraint system in a rear seat of the vehicle;

Increases the age, from one year of age or older to 2 years of age or older, of children who must be restrained in a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint system in a rear seat of the vehicle, if a rear seat is available;

Adds a requirement that children who are at least 4 years of age but under 9 years of age and who weigh at least 40 pounds utilize a booster seat, which must be situated in a rear seat of the vehicle, if a rear seat is available; and

Adds a requirement that children who are at least 9 years of age but under 13 years of age sit in the rear seat of a vehicle, if a rear seat is available, and be properly secured with a safety belt.

SB24-078 - The bill includes outdoor nature-based preschool programs (outdoor programs) as a type of licensed child care center (center) in the department of early childhood (department) for licensing-related matters.

The Bilingual licensing program was extended through HB24-1009. The Executive Directors Rule making authority was extended for 7 years through HB24-1332.

"I thought I was a member of ECEA already...."

That's a statement we hear regularly! Here's how you KNOW that you are a member of ECEA:

You paid an annual membership fee
You received a membership certificate

If neither of these things are true then you need to know you are receiving this update because other programs that have joined ECEA are making it possible! Our members are going to get access to a new vendor next week that can save them realistically about 20-22% on food and supply costs. To get in on the savings you have to be an ECEA member!

JOIN ECEA TODAY!

www.coloradoecea.org/membership

Here' what one of our members had to say recently about our Coach, Peggy Ferguson: