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New York City Council
Requirements and reporting for background checks for child care providers, employees, and volunteers
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Chair Jennifer Gutiérrez opens the subcommittee hearing and introduces proposed Intro 580A, her lead-sponsored bill establishing an Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to provide universal child care at no cost to families.
Gutiérrez recounts rallying outside City Hall three years ago with Councilmember Kevin Riley, advocates, educators, and families to introduce the bill, and reflects on what they have learned from one another since.
Gutiérrez details the specific mandates of Intro 580A: coordinating child care provision, developing implementation recommendations, considering costs and funding sources, and supporting agencies in identifying locations for additional programs.
Gutiérrez yields to co-sponsor Councilmember Kevin Riley, who thanks the chair for her leadership and argues that child care requires intentional planning, strong coordination, and sustained leadership—not treatment as an afterthought.
Riley explains how Intro 580A creates the Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to identify service gaps and coordinate resources, laying the foundation for smarter policymaking and greater accountability toward universal child care.
Gutiérrez introduces proposed Intro 15A, sponsored by Councilmember Shaun Abreu, regarding requirements and reporting for background checks for child care providers, employees, and volunteers.
Gutiérrez explains the provisions of Intro 15A: prohibiting DOHMH from requiring a subsequent background check if one was already completed, unless the individual has not been employed by a child care provider for more than 180 consecutive days in the past five years, or if a check is required by law or for safety.
Gutiérrez urges all colleagues to support both pieces of legislation and recognizes Councilmember Julie Won, who is joining the hearing virtually.
Gutiérrez thanks the subcommittee staff at MERC—Julia Goldsmith-Pinkham, Katie Selena, Grace Amato, Julene Lawless, and Margaret Barnsley—as well as her own staff Frank Hulka and El Alau, chief of staff Anya Lair, and Anna Bessendorf from the Speaker's Office.
Chair Gutiérrez calls for the vote, and Committee Clerk William Martin announces the roll call vote for the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education, noting both items are coupled for a single vote.
Committee Clerk William Martin conducts the roll call. Gutiérrez votes aye, Santosuosso votes aye, Riley votes aye, Joseph votes aye, and Felder votes aye. Brewer's vote is not captured in the transcript audio.
The clerk announces both items have been approved by the subcommittee with a vote of seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative, and no abstentions. Chair Gutiérrez thanks colleagues and advocates.