State Rep. Matthew Bierlein last week secured House passage of his plan to eliminate unnecessary double licensing requirements for preschool programs operating within Michigan schools.

House Bill 5803 would exempt qualifying preschool classrooms located in public and nonpublic schools from separate child care licensing requirements. Currently, some preschool programs operating in K-12 school buildings must comply with requirements that apply to both school classrooms and licensed child care centers.

“School-based preschool programs are already operating under comprehensive education and safety standards, but we’re asking them to jump through a second set of regulatory hoops on top of that,” said Bierlein, R-Vassar. “That means more paperwork and more time spent navigating overlapping requirements instead of focusing on the kids in the classroom. This bill fixes that.”

Michigan school districts provide preschool programming through the Great Start Readiness Program, which follows comprehensive educational, health and safety standards alongside requirements already in place for schools. Despite those safeguards, school-based preschool classrooms can also be subject to child care licensing regulations overseen by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.

The legislation was brought forward after Bierlein heard directly from local school leaders about the problems created by the current double licensing system.

“As educators, we share the same goal as policymakers: providing safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environments for children,” said Birch Run Area Schools Superintendent Diane Martindale. “HB 5803 recognizes the important work schools are already doing to provide safe conditions for learning while also removing unnecessary duplication in the regulatory process. Time scarcity is one of the greatest barriers we face in education as we work to meet the unique needs of each learner entrusted to us. This legislation allows schools to spend more of their time and resources focused on what matters most—students and family partnerships. We are grateful for Representative Bierlein’s leadership and proud to support this important legislation for Michigan children and families as we expand early childhood opportunities offered in the school setting.”

“Our educators are the ones working with these requirements every day, and when they identify unnecessary government red tape, we should listen,” Bierlein said. “I appreciate our local school leaders for bringing this issue forward and working with me on a solution that would allow schools to spend less time on paperwork and more time serving students.”

House Bill 5803 now advances to the Senate for consideration.