Rule Impact Statement
To: Programs administrator
Legal Services - Policy
From: Jaesha Quarrels
Director of Child Care Services
Date: May 7, 2025
Re: TITLE 340. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CHAPTER 110. LICENSING SERVICES
Subchapter 1. General Provisions
Part 1. Licensing Services - Child Care
340:110-1-8.3 [AMENDED]
(Reference 25-04)
Contact: Mitzi Lee, Programs Manager III, 405-202-7449
A. Brief description of the purpose of the proposed rule:
Purpose.
Proposed amendments to Chapter 110, Subchapter 1, Part 1 amend Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) Child Care Services (CCS) Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) accreditation certification time frames.
Strategic Plan Impact.
Emergency rulemaking is requested to allow programs additional time to comply with QRIS accreditation criteria.
Substantive changes.
Subchapter 1. General Provisions
Part 1. Licensing Services - Child Care
Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:110-8.3 is amended to reflect: (1) revised QRIS accreditation application time frame; and (2) provisions for extensions of accreditation time frame when programs demonstrate substantial and verifiable progress toward obtaining accreditation related to application, self-study, self-assessment, and program observations.
Reasons.
Chapter 110, Subchapter 1, Part 1. The proposed amendments address revisions to QRIS accreditation certification time frames.
Repercussions.
Chapter 110, Subchapter 1, Part 1. The proposed amendments address: (1) revised QRIS accreditation application time frame; and (2) provisions for extensions of accreditation time frame when programs demonstrate substantial and verifiable progress toward obtaining accreditation related to application, self-study, self-assessment, and program observations.
Legal authority.
Director of Human Services; Section 162 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes [56 O.S. § 162] and 10 O.S. 404 of the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act.
Emergency rulemaking approval is requested. Proposed amendments address needed revisions for additional time frames for programs to meet QRIS accreditation certification.
B. A description of the classes of persons who most likely will be affected by the proposed rule, including classes that will bear the costs of the proposed rule, and any information on cost impacts received by the Agency from any private or public entities: The classes of persons most likely to be affected by the proposed amendments are child care facilities participating in QRIS and families and children using licensed child care.
C. A description of the classes of persons who will benefit from the proposed rule: The classes of persons most likely to benefit by the proposed amendments are child care facilities participating in QRIS and families and children using licensed child care.
D. A description of the probable economic impact of the proposed rule upon the affected classes of persons or political subdivisions, including a listing of all fee changes and, whenever possible, a separate justification for each fee change: There are no additional fees associated with the proposed amendments to provide additional QRIS accreditation time frames.
E. The probable costs and benefits to the Agency and to any other agency of the implementation and enforcement of the proposed rule, the source of revenue to be used for implementation and enforcement of the proposed rule and any anticipated effect on state revenues, including a projected net loss or gain in such revenues if it can be projected by the Agency: No negative impact to state agency revenue as current subsidy rates will be maintained with funding through the Child Care development Funds at the federal level during this extended time to comply with QRIS criteria.
F. A determination whether implementation of the proposed rule will have an impact on any political subdivisions or require their cooperation in implementing or enforcing the rule: Proposed amendments provide: (1) additional time frames for programs to meet QRIS accreditation criteria; and (2) improved child care for children and families receiving child care services in programs participating in QRIS.
G. A determination whether implementation of the proposed rule will have an adverse economic effect on small business as provided by the Oklahoma Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act: Without additional time frames to become accredited, a program’s star rating will be reduced thus impacting their child care subsidy rates.
H. An explanation of the measures the Agency has taken to minimize compliance costs and a determination whether there are less costly or nonregulatory methods or less intrusive methods for achieving the purpose of the proposed rule: There are no less costly, non-regulatory, or less intrusive methods for achieving the purpose of the proposed amendments.
I. A determination of the effect of the proposed rule on the public health, safety, and environment and, if the proposed rule is designed to reduce significant risks to the public health, safety, and environment, an explanation of the nature of the risk and to what extent the proposed rule will reduce the risk: Implementation of the proposed amendments provide: (1) improved child care for children and families receiving child care services in programs participating in QRIS; and (2) provide additional time frames for programs to become accredited.
J. A determination of any detrimental effect on the public health, safety, and environment if the proposed rule is not implemented: If the proposed amendments are not implemented: (1) quality of child care would be negatively impacted; and (2) programs will be negatively impacted as their star rating, which determines their child care subsidy rates, will be reduced when not meeting accreditation criteria.
K. The date the rule impact statement was prepared and, if modified, the date modified: Prepared: May 7, 2025
