Kansas Lawmakers Approve Creation of Early Childhood Office, Easing Child Care Regulations

by Derek White

Kansas legislators have taken a significant step toward reforming the state’s child care system with the passage of House Bill 2045. The legislation, which now awaits Governor Laura Kelly’s signature, establishes a new Kansas Office of Early Childhood and merges three existing child care governance bodies into one centralized agency.

In a statement following the bill’s passage, Governor Kelly praised the bipartisan effort: “This bipartisan legislation is a win for businesses, child care providers and most importantly, Kansas children and families. Now, our early childhood system will no longer be bogged down by inefficiencies and bureaucratic red tape.”

The new office will oversee licensing, funding, and programming that were previously split between the Department of Education, Department for Children and Families (DCF), and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet. Senator Beverly Gossage, a Republican from Eudora, emphasized the streamlining benefits of the bill: “The idea was to create the Office of Early Childhood and have a director in that office, overseeing three subdivisions.”

House Bill 2045 also introduces several changes to child care regulations. It allows facilities to reduce educational requirements for some workers and adjusts adult-to-child supervision ratios. Supporters argue these changes will help ease the state’s child care shortage by opening more spots for families in need of services.

One of the bill’s more controversial provisions involves child vaccination requirements. Under the new rules, parents or guardians can opt out of immunizations for their children by submitting a written statement citing religious beliefs. Critics fear this could lead to lower vaccination rates and increased public health risks.

Despite widespread support, the bill was not without its critics. Lawmakers from both chambers raised concerns over the process and potential costs. The bill, presented through a conference committee report, bypassed the typical amendment process, prompting frustration over the lack of open debate and a formal fiscal note.

Senator Doug Shane, a Republican from Louisburg, voiced apprehension about creating a new state agency without more discussion: “I appreciate the changes, but without thoroughly vetting this and with the creation of a new agency, we set ourselves up for long-term challenges.”

Representative Barb Wasinger of Hays echoed those concerns, questioning the bill’s financial implications: “It starts a whole new agency, which means more full-time employees… I think this is a good bill with some bad changes.”

Still, proponents like Representative Sean Tarwater emphasized the importance of the reform: “It’s going to open up thousands of slots for day care. One of the No. 1 reasons people are not in the workforce is because they can’t find day care.”

Ultimately, the bill passed with strong margins, 30 to 10 in the Senate and 99 to 23 in the House, signaling broad legislative support despite lingering questions. If signed into law, House Bill 2045 could reshape how Kansas supports its youngest residents and the families who care for them.