S1111

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. May to streamline regulatory oversight of combined preschool and childcare facilities. Senate Print 1111, which amends the Education Law, passed on a 61-0 vote. The bill addresses regulatory conflicts faced by institutions like Jawonio, a Syracuse-based provider founded in 1969 that serves children with developmental and physical disabilities. Currently, such facilities must comply with duplicate and sometimes conflicting requirements from both the Office of Children and Family Services, which regulates daycares, and the State Education Department, which regulates schools. These agencies impose different background check systems, overtime regimes, and other confusing rules. Sen. May explained that administrators at Jawonio and similar institutions must navigate separate certification and licensure processes despite operating as a single entity. The legislation creates a unified streamlined process for certification, licensure, and operation, eliminating administrative burden and facilitating the development of other combined school-daycare institutions. The bill takes effect 90 days after becoming law.