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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.
Council staff announces the start of the New York City Council vote for the Committee on Education and reminds attendees to silence electronic devices and not approach the dais.
Councilmember Eric Dinowitz introduces himself as a public school alum, teacher, and chair of the Committee on Education, and welcomes everyone to the day's vote.
Chair Dinowitz acknowledges the colleagues in attendance: Councilmembers Louis, Schulman, Gutierrez, Farias, Brewer, Krishnan, Narcisse, Wong, Zhuang, Joseph, Lee, and De La Rosa.
Chair Dinowitz describes Proposed Int 15A, sponsored by Councilmember Shaun-Abreu, which would prohibit DOHMH from requiring a subsequent background check if one was already completed, unless the individual has not been employed for more than 180 consecutive days in the past five years. The bill aims to correct inefficiencies and ease administrative burden on child care providers.
Chair Dinowitz describes Proposed Int 580A, sponsored by Councilmembers Gutierrez and Riley, which would establish an office of child care and early childhood education to oversee planning and implementation of child care at no cost to families. The office would coordinate child care provision, develop implementation recommendations, consider funding sources, and support agencies in identifying locations for additional programs.
Councilmember Gutiérrez thanks the staff who helped put the bill together and her colleagues who signed on through multiple reintroductions. She dedicates the legislation to child care and early childhood education advocates and providers, especially women of color who have not felt seen or supported.
Gutiérrez praises the Speaker and Mayor for their commitment to child care, expresses excitement about New York City leading on universal child care, and envisions how the city will transform with a legitimate universal child care system.
Chair Dinowitz notes the upcoming budget vote significantly invests in early childhood education and says these bills improve system functionality. He encourages colleagues to support both bills and thanks committee staff (Carvajal, Rivera, Salina, Amato, Lane Lawless) and his own staff (Salter, Klaus).
Committee Clerk William Martin announces the roll call vote for the Committee on Education, noting that both items are coupled for the vote.
Chair Dinowitz votes aye. Councilmember Louis votes aye and congratulates bill sponsors. De La Rosa votes aye. Farías votes aye and congratulates Councilmember Gutierrez. Gutiérrez votes aye with thanks.
Roll call continues for Councilmembers Joseph, Krishnan, Lee, Narcisse, Shulman, Zhuang, and Wong, with affirmative votes recorded. Gutiérrez offers congratulations during the roll.
Clerk Martin announces the vote result: 13 in the affirmative, zero in the negative, no abstentions. Both items are adopted by the committee. Chair Dinowitz adjourns the meeting.