From The Star Staff
On Tuesday, Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia enacted House Bill 1041, amending Law 173-2016, referred to as the “Law for the Licensing of Child Care, Development and Learning Establishments in Puerto Rico.”
This legislation aims to align the law’s provisions with recent social and legislative developments, to enhance the quality of child care services, promote the welfare of eligible minors, and support the functioning of facilities that provide these services.
House Bill 1041 features important revisions, including the establishment of new roles, such as the “caregiver,” tasked with the care and development of minors. Additionally, it replaces the Child Development Associate (CDA) Certification with the “Child Development Course (CDN),” making certification more accessible and adaptable for professionals in the sector.
“The enactment of this measure is a vital milestone to guarantee that child care and development facilities in Puerto Rico function under modern standards, ensuring that minors receive the highest quality services focused on their safety, welfare, and overall development,” stated the governor in a written declaration.
The legislation also establishes a Review Board for Early Childhood Professional Development and Continuing Education Institutions, appointed by the governor. This board will ensure that training providers adhere to both local and federal regulations, thereby upholding the quality of educator training.
Another significant element of the new law is the establishment of a “Qualified Residential Treatment Program” for minors needing specialized care due to emotional or behavioral challenges. Furthermore, the conditions for acquiring provisional licenses will be extended, and a protocol will be created for reporting facilities that operate without licensure.
The governor emphasized that this legislation also responds to the current conditions of the child care system on the island, aiming to streamline and make processes more accessible for center operators, all while maintaining safety and quality benchmarks.
