New York S 6550: Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project

Bill Text

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S06550 Summary:

BILL NOS06550C

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SAME ASSAME AS A05352-C

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SPONSORBRISPORT

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Amd §390, Soc Serv L

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Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project to explore establishing licensing guidelines for the operation of outdoor, nature-based child care programs in an outdoor space and that employ a nature-based early learning curriculum to teach enrolled children.

Go to top S06550 Actions:

BILL NOS06550C

&nbsp

03/17/2025REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

06/06/2025AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

06/06/2025PRINT NUMBER 6550A

01/07/2026REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

03/13/2026AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

03/13/2026PRINT NUMBER 6550B

05/14/2026AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

05/14/2026PRINT NUMBER 6550C

Go to topS06550 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS06550 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS06550 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 6550--C

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 March 17, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. BRISPORT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and Families --
 committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
 recommitted to said committee -- recommitted to the Committee on Chil-
 dren and Families in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- commit-
 tee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recom-
 mitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended,
 ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

 AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to outdoor,
 nature-based child care

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Legislative findings and statement of purpose. The legisla-
 2 ture hereby finds that it is in the interest of the state to provide
 3 children with the opportunity to learn and develop in natural outdoor
 4 environments. Not only do outdoor activities promote physical fitness
 5 and reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues among children,
 6 but numerous studies have shown that exposure to nature enhances cogni-
 7 tive abilities, creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall mental
 8 health. In addition, outdoor child care fosters a sense of connection
 9 and appreciation for the natural environment, promotes the development
 10 of self-efficacy, autonomy, and overall confidence in interacting with
 11 the natural environment, instills environmental values, and promotes
 12 sustainable practices.
 13 The purpose of this act is to recognize the importance of nature in
 14 children's development by providing them with access to outdoor learning
 15 environments, thereby encouraging them to engage in physical activities
 16 and explore nature, fostering a naturally healthy lifestyle from an
 17 early age and contributing to the development and well-being of children
 18 in our state and, ultimately, contributing to the preservation and
 19 conservation of our natural resources.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD08350-08-6

 S. 6550--C 2

 1 § 2. Subdivision 1 of section 390 of the social services law is
 2 amended by adding a new paragraph (h) to read as follows:
 3 (h) "Outdoor, nature-based child care" shall mean a program caring for
 4 children that: (i) enrolls preschool or school-age children; (ii)
 5 provides early learning services in an outdoor space for not less than
 6 four hours per day or fifty percent of the total daily program hours,
 7 whichever is less; and (iii) employs a curriculum with nature to teach
 8 enrolled children.
 9 § 3. Section 390 of the social services law is amended by adding a new
 10 subdivision 2-b to read as follows:
 11 2-b. (a) Within one year of the effective date of this subdivision,
 12 the department shall establish a pilot project to explore establishing
 13 licensing guidelines for outdoor, nature-based child care programs. The
 14 pilot project shall end four years after the effective date of th