Kansas Statutes § 75-7705 Deputy directors established; duties of deputy directors; child care ombudsman and oversight established; transfer of duties and functions to office.

75-7705. Deputy directors established; duties of deputy directors; child care ombudsman and oversight established; transfer of duties and functions to office. (a) (1) There is hereby established within and as a part of the Kansas office of early childhood the deputy director of child care licensure and finance. The deputy director shall oversee day care licensure, including, day care facility and child care resource and referral agency licensing and child care finance and quality. (2) The deputy director shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and appointed by the director. (3) All of the powers, duties and functions of the existing day care and child care resource and referral agency licensing programs pursuant to this act within the division of public health of the department of health and environment are hereby transferred to the deputy director. (4) The deputy director shall manage all components of licensure, including, but not limited to, inspections, waiver approvals and revocation of licenses. (5) Whenever day care and child care resource and referral agency licensing, or words of like effect, are referred to or designated by any statute, rule and regulation, contract or any other document, including any statute, rule and regulation, contract or any document created pursuant to the authorities transferred by this section, such reference or designation shall apply to the deputy director. (6) The deputy director may enter into agreements with the Kansas department for children and families for the administration of child care subsidy payments. If executed, such agreements shall require that the secretary for children and families determine an applicant's eligibility for the child care subsidy according to K.S.A. 39-709, and amendments thereto, and provide information pertaining to such eligible applicants to the deputy director for the administration of such benefits. (7) There is hereby established the child care ombudsman to be overseen by the deputy director of child care licensing and finance. Such ombudsman shall: (A) Serve as a central point of contact for concerns regarding the delivery and system of child care services and receive, investigate and address complaints, concerns and inquiries in a timely manner from the public regarding child care services, providers and related programs; (B) act as an advocate for parents, families and child care providers by facilitating communication between stakeholders and ensuring that concerns are resolved efficiently and fairly; (C) work collaboratively with state agencies, the director of early childhood, service providers and advocacy organizations to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of child care services in Kansas; (D) provide clear guidance and information, in conjunction with and direction from the director, to the public about child care regulations, available support programs and how to access services when concerns arise; (E) submit an annual report to the director, to be shared with the legislature, detailing the number and nature of concerns addressed, actions taken and recommendations for improvements in child care services and policies; (F) review all revocations of licensure upon a complaint and make appeal to director. If an unsatisfactory determination is made, the provider may appeal through the administrative procedure act; and (G) recommend changes in policies, rules and regulations or procedures to improve the functioning of child care services in Kansas to the director, the governor and the legislature. (b) (1) There is hereby established within and as a part of the Kansas office of early childhood the deputy director of home visitation. The deputy director shall oversee home visitation programs. (2) The deputy director shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil services act and appointed by the director. (3) All the powers, duties and functions of existing home visitation programs are hereby transferred to the deputy director of home visitation. (4) Whenever the existing home visitation programs or word of like effect, are referred to or designated by any statute, rule and regulation, contract or any other document, including any statute, rule and regulation, contract or any document created pursuant to the authorities transferred by this section, such reference or designation shall apply to the deputy director. (c) (1) There is hereby established within and as a part of the Kansas office of early childhood the deputy director of the Kansas children's cabinet established under K.S.A. 38-1901, and amendments thereto. (2) The Kansas children's cabinet shall be administered by the deputy director of the Kansas children's cabinet, who shall be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act and appointed by the director. (3) All of the powers, duties, functions and cabinet-approved programs of the existing Kansas children's cabinet and the Kansas children's cabinet director are hereby transferred to the Kansas office of early childhood. (4) The children's cabinet established in K.S.A 38-1901, and amendments thereto, is subject to appropriations of the legislature. History: L. 2025, ch. 118, § 12; July 1.