Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider adopting Ordinance No. 3476 relative to the Farmers Branch Youth Programs Standards of Care in compliance with the Texas Human Resource Code, Chapter 42.041(b)(14); and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Since 1991 the City has run an all-day day camp program called the Summer Funshine Program (SFP). SFP is held at the Community Recreation Center from the day after school is out for summer until the day before school resumes in the fall. There are approximately 325 youth registered for the program. Activities include sports, art, reading, field trips, swimming, and weekly themed activities to name a few.
In approximately 1994 State law required that City's youth programs be licensed as day care programs. During the 1995 legislative session, State Legislators enacted Senate Bill 212, exempting municipal youth recreation programs from child care licensing requirements. The Senate Bill is reflected in the Texas Human Resource Code, Chapter 42.041(b)(14) establishing requirements to exempt recreational programs operated by municipalities for elementary age (5-13) children from state child care licensing requirements provided the governing body of the municipality annually adopts Standards of Care by ordinance after a public hearing.
DISCUSSION:
Since the enactment of Senate Bill 212 the City has followed the process to be exempt from State child care licensing requirements. To receive exempt status for youth recreational programs a municipality must annually adopt Standards of Care by ordinance after a public hearing. City Administration will submit a copy of the ordinance adopting the standards to the State.
The City's youth programs are operated according to the adopted Standards of Care. The programs operated by the City are recreational in nature and are not day care programs.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends approval of Ordinance No. 3476.
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. I move to a...
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