Each license-exempt school readiness provider is statutorily required to complete and post a health and safety checklist that is adopted by the Office of Early Learning. This rule adopts and incorporates by reference health and safety checklists for ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Florida’s Office of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-4.620Health and Safety Checklist

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Each license-exempt school readiness provider is statutorily required to complete and post a health and safety checklist that is adopted by the Office of Early Learning. This rule adopts and incorporates by reference health and safety checklists for each type of license-exempt school readiness provider.

SUMMARY: This new proposed rule is required to incorporate by reference new forms – OEL-SR-HSC-62NPS (April 2014) entitled “Health and Safety Checklist for Non-Public Schools”; form OEL-SR-HSC-62FB (April 2014) entitled: Health and Safety Checklist for Faith-Based Child Care Providers (Religious-Exempt)” and form OEL-SR-HSC-62IF (April 2014) entitled “Health and Safety Checklist for Informal Child Care Providers” that the Office of Early Learning is required to adopt pursuant to Chapter 2013-252, Laws of Florida. All school readiness providers must provide basic health and safety of its premises and facilities. The following school readiness providers: non-public schools, faith-based (religious-exempt) providers, and informal providers, are exempt from licensure and as such cannot satisfy this requirement through compliance with Department of Children and Families’ statutory requirements. In place of this, a new requirement was placed in law requiring non-public schools, faith-based (religious-exempt) providers, and informal providers to annually complete a Health and Safety Checklist that is adopted by the Office of Early Learning. The checklist must be posted in a prominent location on the provider’s premises and submitted to the appropriate early learning coalition.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has been prepared by the Agency.

Regarding Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., it is estimated that, over the course of five years, this rule will have a total cost impact of approximately $24,750. This estimate is based on calculation ($10.00 staff salary x .5 hour x 825 providers + $1.00 per provider for mail and processing = $4,950 total cost per year. The cost impact to affected providers would be approximately $6.00 per provider per year.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: is the statement of estimated regulatory costs.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.213(2), 1002.82(2)(i) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.88(1)(c) FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, May 20, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Santa Rosa School Board Office, 5086 Canal Street, Milton, FL 32570

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Eileen Amy, Director, Partner

Initiatives and CCR&R

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6M-4.620 Health and Safety Checklists.

All school readiness providers must address basic health and safety of their program(s) and facilities. Non-public schools, faith-based child care providers (religious-exempt), and informal child care providers, who receive school readiness funds and are exempt from licensure under Section 402.316 or Section 402.3025, F.S. must complete, by July 1 of each fiscal year, a Health and Safety Checklist. Form OEL-SR-HSC-62NPS (April 2014) entitled “Health and Safety Checklist for Non-Public Schools” (insert link); Form OEL-SR-HSC-62FB (April 2014) entitled “Health and Safety Checklist for Faith-Based Child Care Providers (Religious-Exempt)” (insert link) and Form OEL-SR-HSC-62IF (April 2014) entitled “Health and Safety Checklist for Informal Child Care Providers,” (insert link) are each incorporated by reference. Each form is available on the Office of Early Learning website at www.floridaearlylearning.com or by contacting the Office of Early Learning, Department of Education, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, Florida. The incorporated forms are also available at: <placeholder for FAR reference material link>.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 1, 2014

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.82(2)(i) FS. Law Implemented 1002.88(1)(c) FS. History–New 7-1-14.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Eileen Amy, Director, Partner Initiatives and CCR&R

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Shan Goff, Executive Director

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 21, 2014

DATE NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 24 and 27, 2014 and April 3, 2014