To Improve Permitting for Child Care Facilities in Oregon, Agencies Launch Study
In Oregon, rules about where buildings can go, how they are constructed, and how they can be used may affect the number of places early learning and care facilities are established. These rules include things like local land use plans, limits on building or facility location, and the codes and permits needed to operate a child care facility.
The Oregon legislature passed House Bill 2727 earlier this year. House Bill 2727 directs the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to coordinate a work group in consultation with the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) and report back to the legislature by December 31, 2024. develop a report. Together, the agencies will identify how existing permitting regulations affect child care in Oregon and identify strategies for the legislature's consideration as it strives to provide adequate early learning and child care for all Oregon families.
DLCD is currently accepting applications from interested Oregonians to serve on our work group. Applications will be accepted through November 20, 2023.
Work Group Meetings
DLCD staff will notify applicants by December, 2023. Staff anticipate hosting four work group meetings between February and November, 2024. Workgroup meeting will be held online and available for public review. Community members may submit written comments throughout the process. Staff will make these comments available to work group members.
The work group will include participation by staff from DLCD, DELC, the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division, cities and counties, providers of early learning and care services, and child care advocacy and policy making organizations.
Work group and agency staff will review information and studies from Oregon and national best practices to inform their recommendations to the legislature.
According to House Bill 2727, work group members and agency staff must identify and analyze:
- Specific barriers and challenges to siting, building or renovating early learning and care facilities, including barriers and challenges for co-locating early learning and care facilities with affordable housing and other entities;
- Potential and actual disparate impacts that zoning regulations, building codes and permitting practices have on providers based upon diversity factors, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, language, provider type and geographic location; and
- Promising local, state and national standards for promoting the expansion of early learning and care facilities.
Details of the review requirements are included in House Bill 2727.
Get Involved
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this important work, there are three options: (1) apply to be a work group member, (2) request to be interviewed, and (3) provide written comments.
Questions about the work group or interested in being interviewed or provide information? Contact Kelly Reid at kelly.reid@dlcd.oregon.gov.
General Questions? Contact Angie Brewer at angie.brewer@dlcd.oregon.gov.
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