Day care building code alignment advanced

Lawmakers advanced a bill to select file March 21 intended to align the state building code with state agency regulations.

LB590, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Sue Crawford, would bring the state building code occupancy classifications relating to in-home day cares into alignment with state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations. The bill also would clarify that state agencies may adopt and enforce regulations that conflict with the building code when authorized by state law to do so.

Crawford said the state building code, which was adopted most recently in 2015, classifies a care facility with more than five occupants under the commercial code rather than the residential code. The commercial code is more restrictive, she said, and could require in-home day care providers to have sprinkler systems and storm shelters, among other requirements.

The bill would raise the number of occupants for a care facility to 12, which conforms with DHHS regulation for in-home child care providers.

“[LB590] works to address the relevant conflicts between current state building code and the DHHS regulations to make the requirements for in-home day care in our state clear and consistent,” Crawford said.

An Urban Affairs Committee amendment to add an emergency clause to the bill was adopted 34-0, which would make the bill effective immediately upon passage.

LB590 advanced from general file 39-0.