Kansas Statutes § 65-538 Professional development requirements to care for children; submission of proof of requirements met; administration by director of early childhood on and after July 1, 2026.

65-538. Professional development requirements to care for children; submission of proof of requirements met; administration by director of early childhood on and after July 1, 2026. (a) (1) For each licensure year beginning after July 1, 2025, each person who provides care to children in a licensed child care home shall complete professional development training in an amount determined by the secretary of health and environment of up to 10 clock hours per licensure year. (2) Such training shall consist of a minimum of eight hours of training specified by the secretary. (3) As part of the professional development training required under this subsection: (A) Each person who provides care to children in a licensed child care home shall submit to the secretary proof of completion of up to four hours of such outside training in child care or any related subject. The secretary shall retain records of such person's compliance with this requirement; and (B) a person who maintains a licensed child care home with one provider, if such provider provides care simultaneously to four infants at any time during the licensure year, shall submit to the secretary proof of completion of at least three hours of such professional development training in an infant-specific subject. The secretary shall retain records of such person's compliance with this requirement. (b) The secretary shall update rules and regulations to not require licensure for an individual who provides care for less than 35 hours, unless otherwise increased by the secretary, to four or fewer children, not more than two of whom may be infants who are not related to the individual by blood, marriage or legal adoption, nor to individuals who provide care for children in such child's own home or when care is arranged between friends and neighbors on an irregular basis. (c) The secretary shall update rules and regulations regarding child ratios on or before October 1, 2025. (d) On and after July 1, 2026, this section shall be administered by the director of early childhood. (e) From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, this section shall be a part of and supplemental to article 5 of chapter 65 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto. History: L. 2025, ch. 118, § 2; July 1.