Mason’s Landmark Child Care Legislation Signed into Law

GURNEE, Ill. — Two bills introduced, championed, and passed by state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, are now law, developing child care policies in Illinois as a continuation of early childhood initiatives brought forth in tandem with the development of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).

“These are strong steps forward that continue to strengthen and develop our early childhood programs here in Illinois,” said Mason. “As a legislator, and as a mom, I am committed to making sure the voices of parents and caretakers are listened to and valued so that we might build a safer, more reliable system.”

Both bills update policy related to childcare:

• House Bill 5099 prioritizes the safety of children by updating the Department of Early Childhood Act, requiring all child care providers to be fingerprinted for criminal history by the Department of Early Childhood. Additionally, the bill allows multiple providers access to an individual’s background check, rather than having to complete a new report for each potential employment opportunity. 
• House Bill 5204 establishes that members of the Illinois Early Learning Council appointed by the governor will be parents or caregivers of children who are 5 years of age or younger, ensuring the needs of young families are accurately represented when it comes to improving the lives of Illinois children.

In addition to serving as the Chairperson for the House Child Care Accessibility & Early Childhood Education Committee, Mason has also been instrumental in the development of the IDEC. The cabinet-level agency unifies early childhood services that were previously spread across three different state agencies.

Mason also serves on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Childcare Policy Working Group. The bipartisan working group set out to establish a child care policy guide that can be applied to all states. The group’s finalized report, “Childcare at a Crossroads: A State Legislative Framework for Strengthening Childcare Systems,” was presented at this year’s NCSL conference.

“Child care policy is something that needs to be updated frequently, and must remain a legislative priority. As lawmakers and parents and educators, we are constantly learning more about early childhood and child development. Our children are not only our most cherished and vulnerable, but they also hold the key to the future of our state and the future of our country. They must be heard, supported and protected,” said Mason.

House Bill 5099 and House Bill 5204 were signed into law last week.

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