Posting Language
Title
Set a public hearing to consider an ordinance adopting Local Standards of Care for the Parks and Recreation Department’s youth programs. (Suggested date and location: April 4, 2024, at Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas).
De
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation Department.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
April 13, 2023 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20230413-055, the Local Standards of Care for 2023.
For More Information:
Davin Bjornaas, Program Manager, 512-974-5665.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
January 22, 2024 - The Parks and Recreation Board recommended approval of the renewal of the Local Standards of Care for the City Parks and Recreation Department's Youth Recreation Programs on a 10-0 vote with one Board member absent.
Additional Backup Information:
The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services administers State regulations and general licensing procedures for all child-care facilities. Pursuant to Texas Human Resources Code § 42.041, the City is exempt from child-care licensure for elementary-age (ages 5-13) recreation programs, provided that Council annually conducts a public hearing and adopts local standards of care by ordinance.
The ordinance must include minimum staffing ratios, minimum staff qualifications, minimum facility, health, and safety standards, and mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing the adopted local standards. The parents or guardians of all program participants must be provided with a copy of the local standards of care and be informed that the program is not licensed by the State. Further, the program may not be advertised as a child-care facility.
If Council does not set the public hearing and subsequently approve the ordinance adopting local standards of care, the City will not be exempted from the State’s child-care licensure requirements for the Parks and Recreation Department’s youth programs.