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+state_code,state,checked,page_url,child_care_agency,child_care_agency_url,licensing_summary,school_age_exemption,ratio_3_year_olds,ratio_4_year_olds,ratio_school_age,max_group_school_age,camp_license,camp_agency,camp_agency_url,camp_summary,background_checks_summary,medication_summary,everyone_must_report,mandated_reporting_summary,abuse_hotline,abuse_hotline_url,sources,dataset_version,dataset_checked,cite_as
+AL,Alabama,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/alabama,"Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Care Services Division, Office of Child Care Licensing",https://dhr.alabama.gov/child-care/licensing-overview/,"A day care center (any facility caring for more than 12 children for all or part of a day) and day care/nighttime homes must be licensed by DHR, with licenses renewed every two years. Centers follow DHR's Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 660-5-26).","Ala. Code §38-7-2(4) excludes programs run by public school systems, and organized, periodic special-activity programs for school-age children (athletics, crafts instruction and similar) run by civic, charitable or governmental groups, as long as they meet local and state fire and health rules. Preschool programs that are part of a church ministry or religious nonprofit school can be license-exempt under §38-7-3 if they file with DHR and meet its inspection, background check and insurance conditions; exempt out-of-school-time programs that take child care subsidy must follow DHR health and safety guidelines.",11,18,21,,yes,"Alabama Department of Public Health, Division of Food, Milk and Lodging (permits issued by the county health department)",https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/foodsafety/food-and-lodging.html,"Day camps and resident (overnight) camps need an annual camp permit from the county health officer under Alabama's camp sanitation rules (Ala. Admin. Code ch. 420-3-21); camps that don't run year-round apply for the permit ""within 60 days prior to the opening date of the camp"", and the camp is inspected before the permit is issued and at least once during operation. These rules cover sanitation (water, sewage, food service, buildings, swimming areas), not staffing or supervision. A camp that cares for children in a way that meets the day care center definition may also fall under DHR child care licensing.","All licensed child care staff, and volunteers with unsupervised access to children, need an FBI fingerprint check, a National Sex Offender Registry (NCIC) check, a state fingerprint criminal history check, the state sex offender registry, and the Alabama child abuse/neglect central registry, plus the same registry checks in any state lived in during the past 5 years. Checks are done before hire and at least every 5 years (and again if the person has been out of child care for more than 180 days); staff can't count toward ratio until checks are complete. Alabama's camp sanitation permit rules do not set a separate background check requirement for camps.","No prescription or over-the-counter medication may be given without a health professional's order and a signed parent authorization on DHR's form (the form also covers items applied to skin, such as sunscreen and bug spray); blanket authorizations are not allowed and each form is valid for no more than 7 days unless backed by a physician's statement. Medicine must be in its original labeled container, kept locked, given by designated staff, and each dose logged with a full signature; staff need medication administration training before service and yearly.",no,"Listed roles must report, including day care workers and employees, K-12 school employees, teachers and school officials, social workers, health care workers, clergy and anyone called on to give aid or medical help to a child. Coaches and camp staff aren't named separately, but they may be covered by these roles. Under Act 2026-375 (effective October 1, 2026), the oral report to DHR or law enforcement is due immediately and a written report within 72 hours (Ala. Code §26-14-3).",No single statewide hotline is published; call your county DHR office or local law enforcement,https://dhr.alabama.gov/child-abuse-neglect-reporting/,"Alabama DHR child care licensing overview ; Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.04 (Child Care Program) ; DHR Licensing and Performance Standards for Day Care Centers (eff. Sept. 13, 2021) ; DHR license-exempt day care facilities ; DHR health and safety guidelines for out-of-school-time facilities in the subsidy program ; Ala. Admin. Code ch. 420-3-21, Camp Sanitation (official code) ; ADPH Food and Lodging (camp rules listed) ; DHR instructions for child care comprehensive background checks ; Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.07 (Character and Suitability) ; Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-26-.06 (Staff; training) ; DHR: Report child abuse and neglect ; DHR county office contacts ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Alabama mandatory reporting (May 2023) ; SB203 (Act 2026-375) enrolled text amending Ala. Code §26-14-3 ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+AK,Alaska,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/alaska,"Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance, Child Care Program Office (in Anchorage: Anchorage Health Department, Child Care Licensing)",https://health.alaska.gov/en/division-of-public-assistance/child-care-program-office/,"Any place that regularly cares for five or more children who are not the caregiver's relatives must be licensed unless exempt (7 AAC 57.010). License types are child care homes (up to 8 children), group homes (9 to 12) and centers (13 or more); inside the Municipality of Anchorage, the city licenses child care under Anchorage Municipal Code 16.55 plus the state rules.","Exempt programs include recreation programs that let children attend but don't take responsibility for their care, programs where each parent stays on site, K-6 school programs of seven hours or less a day (but not before- or after-school care at the school), and one-time events under five weeks a year (7 AAC 57.015). A day camp is exempt only if it holds American Camp Association (or similar approved) accreditation, serves children 5 and older, runs more than five weeks a year and only during school breaks, and does fingerprint-based background checks.",10,10,18,36,no,"Alaska Department of Health, Child Care Program Office (day camps, through child care licensing)",https://health.alaska.gov/en/division-of-public-assistance/child-care-program-office/,"Alaska has no separate youth camp license that we could find. A day camp that regularly cares for five or more children needs a child care license unless it meets the camp exemption in 7 AAC 57.015(a)(11): accredited by the American Camp Association or a similar approved body, serving children 5 and older, running more than five weeks a year and only during school breaks, and doing fingerprint background checks (or meeting the state's barrier-crime rules). We found no state license requirement for overnight camps.","Everyone 16 or older who works, volunteers unsupervised, lives in or regularly has contact with children at a licensed facility needs a state background check, including fingerprints for a state and FBI criminal history check plus the Alaska sex offender/child kidnapper registry and other state registries; child protection records may also be reviewed. The check must be done before the person starts (a 90-day provisional clearance is possible), names stay flagged for ongoing monitoring, and the fingerprint check is good for five years if the person stays continuously associated with a provider (a break of 100 days or more voids it). Exempt accredited day camps must still do fingerprint-based checks to the same standard.","Get written parent permission before giving any prescription medicine, and give it only as prescribed; common over-the-counter or first-aid-kit medicines need written or documented phone permission. Keep medicine in its original container labeled with the child's name, drug, dose, expiration date and directions, stored out of children's reach; only one designated employee per shift gives medication and records and initials each dose, and unused medicine goes back to the parent.",no,"Listed professionals must report, including child care providers, school teachers and staff (including athletic coaches; unpaid volunteer coaches only after a set number of hours plus training), school volunteers working more than four hours a week, and health care workers. Reports go to the Office of Children's Services immediately, and suspected sex offenses must also be reported immediately to law enforcement (AS 47.17.020).",1-800-478-4444 (24/7); written reports to ReportChildAbuse@alaska.gov,https://dfcs.alaska.gov/office-of-childrens-services/report-child-abuse/,"7 AAC 57 (Child Care Facilities Licensing), Alaska Legislature official code ; Alaska Child Care Program Office ; Anchorage Health Department Child Care Licensing ; Anchorage licensure exemptions ; 7 AAC 10.900-10.990 barrier crimes and background checks ; AS 47.17.020, Alaska Statutes (official) ; Office of Children's Services: Report child abuse ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Alaska mandatory reporting ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+AZ,Arizona,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/arizona,"Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing",https://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/childcare-facilities/index.php,"Any facility that regularly cares for five or more unrelated children for pay, for less than 24 hours a day, is a child care facility and must be licensed by ADHS (A.R.S. §36-881, §36-882); 'child' generally means through age 14. Licensed centers follow 9 A.A.C. 5; smaller in-home child care group homes are certified under separate rules (9 A.A.C. 3).","A.R.S. §36-884 exempts programs that offer only recreational or instructional activities to school-age children who may come and go on their own (they must post a 'not licensed' notice), training only in specific subjects such as dance, drama, music, self-defense or religion, and public or private schools during the regular school day. Before- and after-school care run by a school is not exempt; public school child care must meet ADHS standards. Accredited day camps can also be exempt (see camps).",13,15,20,,partly,"Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Environmental Health (children's camp license; inspections often delegated to county health departments)",,"Overnight 'children's camps' (food and lodging for minors, open five or more days a year) need an annual ADHS children's camp license, applied for by May 1, with inspections focused on water, sewage, food service and layout (A.R.S. §36-3901 to 36-3916). Day camps are not children's camps; they need a child care facility license unless they qualify for the day camp exemption in A.R.S. §36-884(9): accredited by an ADHS-approved national day camp accreditor, open fewer than 10 weeks a year, serving only children 5 and older, posting a 'not licensed' notice, and requiring fingerprint clearance cards for all staff.","All child care staff and volunteers must have a valid DPS Level One fingerprint clearance card (state and FBI criminal history, with ongoing rap-back updates) before starting work, and sign a disclosure form on criminal history and child abuse findings (A.R.S. §36-883.02). Licensees must also submit staff for a Department of Child Safety central registry (child abuse and neglect) check and make good-faith efforts to contact previous employers. Exempt accredited day camps must still require fingerprint clearance cards; the overnight children's camp law has no background check rule of its own.","A center that gives medicine must have a written medication policy, and only the director or one staff member designated in writing (one at a time) may give it, with signed parent or health care provider authorization listing the drug, dose, route, times and reason. Prescriptions must be in the pharmacy container and over-the-counter medicine in the original package labeled with the child's name; medicine is kept locked and out of reach, the center may not keep its own stock, and every dose is logged with the staff member's signature and kept for 12 months.",no,"Listed reporters include school personnel, health and behavioral health professionals, clergy, parents and ""any other person who has responsibility for the care or treatment of the minor."" That phrase can include child care, camp and youth program staff, and their direct supervisors must also report. Reports must be made immediately by phone or electronically to DCS or a peace officer (A.R.S. §13-3620).","1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), 24/7",https://dcs.az.gov/report-child-abuse/child-abuse-hotline,Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-404 Staff-to-children ratios ; Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-101 Definitions ; A.R.S. §36-881 Definitions ; A.R.S. §36-884 Exemptions ; A.R.S. §36-883.04 Public school child care standards ; A.R.S. §36-3901 Children's camp definition ; A.R.S. §36-3902 Children's camp license ; Ariz. Admin. Code R9-8-402 Children's camp licensing ; A.R.S. §36-883.02 Child care personnel; fingerprints ; A.R.S. §41-1758.07 Level I fingerprint clearance cards ; A.R.S. §8-804 DCS central registry checks ; Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-402 Staff records ; Ariz. Admin. Code R9-5-516 Medications ; A.R.S. §13-3620 Duty to report ; Arizona DCS child abuse hotline ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Arizona mandatory reporting ,2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+AR,Arkansas,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/arkansas,"Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Child Care Licensing Unit",https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-early-childhood/child-care-licensing,"Child care centers caring for six or more children from more than one family, licensed family homes (6 to 16 children) and out-of-school-time (OST) facilities serving only school-age children must be licensed by OEC; homes with fewer children can register. A program open more than 5 hours in any 24-hour period or more than 10 hours a week counts as a child care center.","Programs open no more than 5 hours a day or 10 hours a week, and programs that run no more than three weeks a year (such as summer Bible schools and camps), don't need a license. Recreational programs where children arrive and leave on their own for scheduled classes, practices, games or meetings are exempt, as are schools providing short before/after-school care (up to 20 hours a week) for their own K-12 students; church-run programs can apply for a church-operated exemption but must still meet the standards.",12,15,18,36,partly,"Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood (child care licensing, which covers summer day camps)",https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-early-childhood/child-care-licensing,"Summer day camps for school-age children are out-of-school-time programs and need an OEC child care license, which includes specific day camp rules, unless the camp runs no more than three weeks a year, stays under 5 hours a day and 10 hours a week, or is a drop-in recreational program. We found no separate state license for overnight (resident) camps in the Arkansas Department of Health's rules.","Owners, staff, and volunteers or others with routine contact with children need an Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry check before starting and every 2 years, plus an Arkansas State Police fingerprint check (including the state sex offender registry) and an FBI fingerprint check before starting and every 5 years; a National Sex Offender Registry check is also run, and anyone who lived in another state in the past 5 years is checked there too. New staff can start only after a satisfactory state police result and must be supervised by fully cleared staff until all checks are back.","Medicine may be given only with signed parent permission listing the date, drug name, dose and time, how long to give it and the reason; it must be in the original child-resistant container, unexpired and labeled with the child's name, and never given above the label dose. Medicines are kept locked, the staff member who gives a dose initials the permission slip and records date, time and dose, children with special health needs need a care plan, and staff orientation covers medication administration.",no,"A long list of mandated reporters includes child care and day care workers, school employees, coaches and directors of athletic and non-athletic organizations, clergy, health care workers, and people working for nonprofit charitable organizations. They must immediately notify the Child Abuse Hotline when they have reasonable cause to suspect maltreatment (Ark. Code § 12-18-402); licensed child care owners, staff and volunteers are named as mandated reporters in the licensing rules.",1-800-482-5964 (Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline); non-emergency online reports at mandatedreporter.arkansas.gov,https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/children-family-services/how-to-report-child-abuse-neglect/,OEC Child Care Licensing ; 20 CAR § 1025-401 Staff-to-child ratio (Code of Arkansas Rules) ; 20 CAR § 1027-101 OST definitions and license exemptions ; 20 CAR § 1027-301 OST staff-to-participant ratio ; 20 CAR § 1025-207 Church-operated exemptions ; Minimum Licensing Requirements for Out-of-School Time Facilities (PDF) ; 20 CAR § 1025-209 Child Maltreatment Central Registry checks ; 20 CAR § 1025-210 FBI and State Police criminal records checks ; 20 CAR § 1025-1201 General health requirements (medication) ; Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (PDF) ; Arkansas DHS: How to report child abuse and neglect ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Arkansas mandatory reporting (May 2023) ; 20 CAR § 1025-201 (child care staff are mandated reporters; hotline) ,2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+CA,California,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/california,"California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care Licensing Division, Child Care Licensing Program",https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing,"Child care centers (including infant centers, preschool programs and school-age child care centers) and family child care homes must be licensed by CDSS under Title 22, Division 12 of the California Code of Regulations. A school-age child care center is any center, of any size, that provides less-than-24-hour care to school-age children in a group.","Before- and after-school programs run by a public or private school with its own qualified teachers are exempt, but an outside group running a program on a school site needs a license (22 CCR §101158). CDSS also lists exemptions from Health and Safety Code §1596.792, including public recreation programs run by the state, a city, county, special district or school district outside school hours for under 16 hours a week or 12 weeks or less a year, recreation programs run by groups like Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs or Camp Fire, programs open one day a week for four hours or less, and classroom-style instructional programs during school breaks totaling 30 days or less for school-age children.",12,12,14,,partly,"Local health officer (city or county environmental health), under California Department of Public Health organized camp standards",,"Organized camps (as defined in Health and Safety Code §18897) must send written notice to the local health officer at least 30 days before operating each year and meet Title 17 standards, including a camp director at least 25 years old with two seasons of camp supervisory experience, at least 1 counselor (18+ or a high school graduate) per 10 campers under 16, and a full-time health supervisor (17 CCR §30700-30753). Day programs that care for children may need a CDSS child care license unless they fit an exemption such as the public recreation or Scouts/Boys and Girls Clubs-type recreation exemptions.","Licensed child care staff, and most volunteers, need a criminal record clearance from both the California DOJ and the FBI (Live Scan fingerprints) plus a Child Abuse Central Index check before they work or are present in the facility; DOJ then sends CDSS any later arrests or child abuse reports. A clearance stays active while the person is linked to a licensed facility and lapses after 3 years without one. At organized camps, the director and all counselors need a satisfactory California DOJ criminal history check or a National Sex Offender Public Registry check, plus a voluntary disclosure statement, before any unsupervised contact with campers (17 CCR §30751).","If a center chooses to give medication, it needs written approval and instructions from the parent for each prescription and over-the-counter medicine, and must follow the pharmacy or product label. Medicines are stored out of children's reach with unaltered labels, marked with the child's name and date; the center must keep a written plan to record each dose and tell parents daily, and return unused medicine. At organized camps, a medical logbook records every dose, and camper medicine stays in its original labeled container (or comes with written instructions) and is locked up when unattended.",no,"Mandated reporters include child care administrators and employees, administrators and employees of day camps, youth centers and youth recreation programs, school staff and school athletic coaches, and HR staff at businesses that employ minors. They must report immediately by phone to the county child welfare agency or police/sheriff and send a written report within 36 hours (Penal Code §§11165.7, 11166); licensed child care staff must take mandated reporter training within 90 days of hire and every 2 years.",No single statewide hotline; call the county Child Protective Services 24-hour line or local police/sheriff,https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Reporting/Report-Abuse/Report-Child-Abuse,"CDSS Child Care Licensing ; 22 CCR §101216.3 Teacher-child ratio ; 22 CCR §101516.5 School-age center ratio ; 22 CCR §101158 Exemption from licensure ; CDSS Title 22 child care center manual, Articles 1-2 (definitions; exemptions quoting HSC §1596.792) ; 17 CCR §30700 Organized camp definitions ; 17 CCR §30703 Notice of intention to operate ; 17 CCR §30750 Health supervision ; 17 CCR §30751 General and safety supervision ; CDSS background check process ; 22 CCR §101170 Criminal record clearance ; 22 CCR §101170.2 Child Abuse Central Index ; 22 CCR §101226 Health-related services (medication) ; CDSS: Report child abuse (county numbers) ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: California mandatory reporting (May 2023) ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: California making and screening reports (Nov. 2021) ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+CO,Colorado,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/colorado,"Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning, Licensing, and Administration",https://cdec.colorado.gov/,"CDEC licenses child care centers and school-age child care centers caring for five or more children, family child care homes, children's resident camps and neighborhood youth organizations under 8 CCR 1402-1. School-age child care centers include before- and after-school programs, extended-day programs, day camps and summer camps for ages 5 to 18 that run more than one week a year.","No license is needed for a class in a single skill (one subject, with no naps or other activities), religious instruction, short care (3 hours or less) while parents are on site at a church, store or business, occasional care, or programs already licensed and inspected by another state or federal agency (8 CCR 1402-1 §2.112). Nonprofit neighborhood youth organizations serving kindergarten through age 18 follow their own lighter rules (§2.700) instead of school-age center rules. The rules include provisions for school-age centers run by public school districts, and public schools are not on the exemption list.",10,12,15,30,partly,"Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Division of Early Learning, Licensing, and Administration",https://cdec.colorado.gov/,"Colorado licenses camps as child care. Children's resident (overnight) camps that run three or more consecutive 24-hour days for five or more children need a CDEC resident camp license (8 CCR 1402-1 §2.400), with counselor ratios of 1:6 for ages 5-7, 1:8 for ages 8-10, 1:10 for ages 11-13 and 1:12 for ages 14 and up. Day camps (at least 4 hours a day, mainly in one season or school breaks, ages 5-18) are licensed as school-age child care centers (§2.500), and seasonal outdoor adventure day camps fall under the resident camp rules.","Staff who care for or have unsupervised access to children need a CBI and FBI fingerprint check, a National Sex Offender Registry check, a Colorado child abuse and neglect (Trails) check, and criminal, sex offender and abuse registry checks in any other state lived in during the past five years, completed before working alone with children (someone with a cleared CBI or FBI check may work up to 90 days under supervision while the rest finish). FBI and Trails checks are renewed every five years. Resident camps and school-age centers may use out-of-state staff hired for less than 90 days without fingerprints or Trails checks if they sign a no-convictions statement, references are checked, and they are supervised at all times by fully cleared staff.","Any prescription or over-the-counter medicine needs both a written order from a health care provider with prescriptive authority and written parent consent; home remedies, vitamins and supplements may not be given, while sunscreen and insect repellent need only parent permission. Medicine stays in its original labeled container (OTC labeled with the child's name), is locked up except emergency medicine, is given only by staff with Department-approved medication administration training and current delegation from a child care health consultant, and each dose is recorded in a medication log.",no,"Listed reporters include school employees, health and mental health professionals, clergy, CDEC employees, and directors, coaches and athletic staff of private sports programs; the licensing rules also require every child care caregiver and staff member to report. Reports must be made immediately to the county human or social services department, local law enforcement, or the statewide hotline (C.R.S. §19-3-304; 8 CCR 1402-1 §2.126).",1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437),https://co4kids.org/,"8 CCR 1402-1 Child Care Facility Licensing Rules (Code of Colorado Regulations, eff. 2/14/2026) ; 8 CCR 1402-1 full text (PDF) ; CO4Kids (Colorado Department of Human Services hotline) ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Colorado mandatory reporting (May 2023) ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+CT,Connecticut,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/connecticut,"Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing",https://www.ctoec.org/licensing/,"A license from OEC is required for child care centers (more than 12 children), group child care homes (7 to 12 children, or a family-home-sized program run outside a private home) and family child care homes (care in a private home on a regular basis). A center or group home that serves school-age children also needs a separate school-age endorsement on its license.","State law exempts programs run by a public school system or a municipal agency, approved or accredited private schools, music/dance/drama/art or single-skill classes of 2 hours or less, scouting, sports-only programs, academic tutoring, programs only for children 13 and older, nationally chartered Boys & Girls Clubs serving only school-age children, and occasional recreational care where parents stay on the premises (CGS §19a-77(b)). An exempt program must tell parents in writing that it is not licensed by OEC (CGS §19a-77(c)).",10,10,15,30,yes,"Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), Division of Licensing",https://www.ctoec.org/licensing/youth-camps/,"Both day camps and resident (overnight) camps need an annual youth camp license from OEC, applied for at least 30 days before opening (CGS §19a-421). The law covers camps serving 5 or more children aged 3 to 15 for 3 or more days a week during school vacations or weekends, or any program advertised as a camp. Exempt: classroom-based summer instruction with no risky activities, public and approved private school summer programs, licensed child care centers, Boys & Girls Club drop-in programs for ages 6 and up, and day camps run by a municipal agency (CGS §19a-420).","Child care staff who care for children or have unsupervised access to them need a comprehensive background check: a state criminal history check and an FBI fingerprint check, the CT DCF child abuse registry, sex offender registries, and the criminal, abuse and sex offender registries of any state they lived in during the past 5 years. New hires cannot start work until the conditions of federal rule 45 CFR 98.43(d)(4) are met, and the check is repeated at least every 5 years (CGS §19a-80(c), §10-530(b); Regs. §19a-79-4a(b)-(c)). Youth camps have their own rule: staff aged 18 and older in care roles need a state criminal check (or a search of the Judicial Branch conviction database), the DCF registry, the CT sex offender registry and the national sex offender website, or else a fingerprint check through an OEC-listed provider. New hires may work only under supervision until the check is complete, and the check is repeated every 5 years (CGS §19a-421(b)-(d)).","Apart from over-the-counter topical products such as diaper cream (which need written parent permission only), no medicine may be given without a written order from an authorized prescriber and written parent permission. Staff who give medicine must first be trained and approved by a pharmacist, physician, PA, APRN or RN, renewed every 3 years (every year for epinephrine auto-injectors). Medicine must be kept in its original labeled container, and each dose is recorded on the child's individual administration record (Regs. §19a-79-9a).",no,"Mandated reporters are listed professions. The list includes anyone paid to care for children in a licensed child care center or home, school employees, paid youth camp directors and staff aged 21 or older, and coaches or directors of youth athletics and private youth sports aged 18 or older (CGS §17a-101(b)). Report by phone (or electronically, for non-emergencies) within 12 hours, and file a written or electronic report within 48 hours after the oral report (CGS §17a-101b, §17a-101c).","1-800-842-2288 (DCF Careline, 24/7; TDD 1-800-624-5518)",https://portal.ct.gov/dcf/supports-for-children-and-families/child-abuse-and-neglect,"CGS §19a-77 (definitions and exemptions) and §19a-80 (license required) ; Regs. Conn. State Agencies §19a-79-4a (staffing, ratios, group size) ; Regs. Conn. State Agencies §19a-79-11 (school-age endorsement) ; Regs. Conn. State Agencies §19a-79-10 (under-3 endorsement) ; OEC Licensing ; CGS chapter 368r, Youth Camps (§19a-420 to §19a-430) ; 2026 Supplement, chapter 368r (2025 amendments) ; OEC Licensing for Youth Camps ; CGS §10-530 (5-year rechecks) ; Regs. Conn. State Agencies §19a-79-9a (administration of medications) ; CGS §17a-101 to §17a-101c (mandated reporters, timing) ; CT DCF: Report child abuse and neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+DE,Delaware,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/delaware,"Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL)",https://education.delaware.gov/families/birth-age-5/occl/,"Anyone who is paid to care for children without a parent present and offers child care to the public needs an OCCL license (14 Del.C. §3002A, §3004A). Early care and education and school-age centers (13 or more children) are licensed under 14 DE Admin. Code 933. This includes before- and after-school care, summer child care programs that are not exempt, and summer camps that receive Purchase of Care funding (933 §4.1). Family and large family child care homes have separate rules.","A center license is not required for: youth camps that serve only school-age children, hold a Division of Public Health camp permit and take no Purchase of Care funding; state-run programs; summer religion classes of 4 weeks or less; brief care while parents stay on site; free drop-in 'open door' programs with no agreement to supervise; school-age care offered only for emergencies or on in-service days, holidays or vacations; lessons or classes only (tutoring, music, dance, sports, art); and public or private schools teaching kindergarten and up (933 §4.3). A program run by another organization inside a school building still needs a license unless the school itself runs it (933 §4.2).",10,12,15,30,yes,"Delaware Division of Public Health (camp permit) and Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (camp license or license exemption)",https://firststeps.delaware.gov/recreational_camps/,"Day, residential and other youth camps for 6 or more campers under 18 need an annual permit from the Division of Public Health (16 DE Admin. Code 4467), which also sets counselor-to-camper ratios. A camp for school-age children must also get either license-exempt approval or a youth camp license from OCCL. A license (14 DE Admin. Code 938) is required to receive Purchase of Care funding, and both routes require the DPH permit (14 Del.C. §3003A, amended August 17, 2026 by SB 293). A camp that serves children younger than kindergarten does not qualify for the camp exemption and falls under child care center licensing.","Before starting work, center staff must be fingerprinted by Delaware State Police for state (SBI) and FBI checks. The center must also have an eligibility or provisional eligibility notice from the DSCYF Criminal History Unit. The full check also covers sex offender and child abuse registries, plus criminal and child abuse checks in every state the person lived in during the past 5 years. Staff are supervised and may not be alone with children until found eligible. Centers must also check the Delaware adult abuse registry. All parts are repeated every 5 years (933 §3.0, §28.3-28.4). Licensed youth camps have the same fingerprint, out-of-state and adult abuse registry requirements for adult staff (938 §22.3-22.4).","Medicine may be given only by a staff member aged 18 or older who holds an OCCL administration of medication certificate (or by a health professional), and a certified staff member must be on site at all times and on field trips. Each medicine needs written parent permission and must be in its original labeled container. Every dose and every error is logged on a Medication Administration Record, and errors are reported to the parent right away (933 §63).",yes,"Every person, agency or organization that knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect must report it to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (16 Del.C. §903). Call the report line immediately for sexual abuse, a child death, a current injury, a child needing urgent medical or mental health care, or a child left without a caregiver. Other reports can be made by phone or through the online portal (16 Del.C. §904). Licensed centers must call the line immediately if abuse is suspected at the center (933 §19.2.3).",1-800-292-9582 (Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line),https://kids.delaware.gov/family-services/child-abuse-and-neglect-reporting/,"14 DE Admin. Code 933, DELACARE Regulations for Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers ; 14 Del.C. ch. 30A (child care licensing law) ; Office of Child Care Licensing ; 16 DE Admin. Code 4467, Sanitation of Recreational Camps (DPH permit) ; 14 DE Admin. Code 938, Regulations for Youth Camps (OCCL license) ; SB 293 (153rd GA), signed August 17, 2026 ; State of Delaware: Recreational Camps permit ; 16 Del.C. §903-904 ; DSCYF: Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+DC,District of Columbia,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/district-of-columbia,"Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Early Learning, Licensing and Compliance",https://osse.dc.gov/service/licensing-and-compliance,"Any center, home or other setting that regularly cares for more than two unrelated children needs an OSSE license as a Child Development Facility unless it is exempt. Licensed facility types are child development centers, child development homes, expanded homes and out-of-school-time (OST) programs (5-A DCMR §101.3-101.4).","Facilities that provide only before-school care, only after-school care, or only summer camp to school-age children do not need a license (5-A DCMR §101.5). Also exempt: public, charter and private schools during the full school day, classes or activities such as tutoring, music, dance, sport or art while parents stay on the premises, care during religious services, and care by relatives.",8,10,15,30,no,,,We found no separate DC youth camp license. OSSE's child care rules exempt facilities that provide only summer camp to school-age children (5-A DCMR §101.5). A camp that serves children below school age does not fit that exemption and may need a Child Development Facility license from OSSE.,"Licensed facilities must request an OSSE background check before a person starts work and at least every 3 years after that (5-A DCMR §133.3). The check covers an FBI fingerprint check, the national sex offender registry, and the criminal, sex offender and child abuse and neglect registries for DC and every state lived in during the past 5 years (§132.2). Staff are also subject to a drug and alcohol testing program, and drivers need a traffic records check. A new hire may start once the request is submitted, but only under constant supervision by someone with a qualifying check (§133.5). License-exempt camps have no OSSE background check rule. Programs run by or under contract with the DC government must run FBI and police criminal checks under DC Code §4-1501.01 et seq.","Before any medicine is given (other than emergency first aid), the facility needs a signed parent authorization form, approval of the medicine and dose by a licensed health care practitioner, and a staff member who has completed approved medication training or is a nurse or certified medication technician. Prescription medicine needs a pharmacy label, and the child must already have had at least one dose at home. All medicine stays in its original container and is labeled with the child's name, and every dose goes in the medication log. Parent-supplied sunscreen, diaper cream and insect repellent need written parent consent only (5-A DCMR §153).",no,"Mandatory reporters are listed professions. The list includes day care workers, teachers, school officials, athletic coaches, Department of Parks and Recreation employees, social services workers and health professionals (DC Code §4-1321.02). They must make an oral report immediately to the Child and Family Services Agency or the Metropolitan Police Department, and a written report if asked (§4-1321.03). Non-emergency reports can also be filed through CFSA's online mandated reporter portal.","(202) 671-SAFE / (202) 671-7233 (CFSA, 24/7)",https://cfsa.dc.gov/service/report-child-abuse-and-neglect,"OSSE Licensing and Compliance (includes exemption list) ; 5-A DCMR §121, Adult-to-Child Ratios and Group Size (DC Register) ; 5-A DCMR §101, Applicability and exemptions (DC Register) ; OSSE Final Rulemaking, Licensing of Child Development Facilities (Dec. 2016, full text) ; 5-A DCMR §132-133 (DC Register) ; DC Code §4-1501.02 (covered child or youth services providers) ; 5-A DCMR §153, Medication Administration and Storage (DC Register) ; DC Code §4-1321.02 (mandatory reporters) ; DC Code §4-1321.03 (timing and content of reports) ; CFSA: Report Child Abuse and Neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+FL,Florida,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/florida,"Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), Child Care Regulation. Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties license through their own local licensing agencies.",https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/child-family/child-care/about-child-care-licensure,"A license is required for any child care center or arrangement caring for more than five unrelated children for pay (s. 402.302(2), F.S.), and for family and large family child care homes. School-age child care programs need their own school-age license under Rule 65C-22.008, F.A.C., unless exempt.","Public and nonpublic schools' own programs for kindergarten and up are not child care (s. 402.3025, F.S.). Summer day camps, residential summer camps and vacation Bible schools are also excluded (s. 402.302(2)). A school-age program needs no license if it is (a) on a school site, run by the school or under a formal contract with it, and serving only that school's students; (b) a single-purpose class such as tutoring, karate or a sport, limited to 2 hours a day (3 for multi-subject tutoring); (c) an open-access drop-in program under 4 hours a day where children come and go freely; (d) run by a certified national youth membership organization that notifies DCF each year; or (e) only for grades 6 and up. Exempt programs must still meet background screening rules and file an attestation with DCF (Rule 65C-22.008(3)-(4), F.A.C.).",15,20,25,,no,Florida Department of Children and Families (background screening only),https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/child-family/child-care/child-care-providers-and-staff/summer-camp-requirements/,"Florida does not license summer camps; state law forbids DCF from licensing summer day camps and summer 24-hour camps (s. 409.175(6)(l), F.S.), and they are excluded from child care licensing (s. 402.302(2)). Camps for children 5 and older must still put all personnel through Level 2 background screening, and DCF can shut down a camp that refuses. DCF acts on complaints only and does not inspect camps or require staff training. A summer program for children under 5 is not a 'summer camp' under the statute and may need a child care license.","All child care personnel need Level 2 screening under chapter 435, F.S. This means FDLE and FBI fingerprint checks, plus employment history checks, sex offender registries, and child abuse and neglect registries for every state lived in during the past 5 years. If DCF cannot finish within 3 business days, a new hire gets 45-day provisional status and must be directly supervised by screened staff (s. 402.305(2)(a)). Re-screening is every 5 years (Child Care Facility Handbook). Summer camp owners, staff and most volunteers (including those under 18) also need Level 2 screening through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Per DCF, that screening must be done within 60 days before starting and repeated each year unless certain conditions are met. Starting July 1, 2026, private youth sports organizations must run Level 2 screening on every coach (s. 943.0438, F.S.).","Programs do not have to give medicine. If they do, they need a dated, signed parent authorization listing the child, the medicine, and the dose and times. Medicine stays in its original container (prescriptions with the pharmacy label), is stored locked or out of reach, and staff giving it must be trained in proper administration, with that training documented. Each dose is logged with the date, time, amount and the giver's signature, and the log is kept 12 months (Child Care Facility Handbook, Medication section). Sunscreen, diaper cream and insect repellent need not be logged.",yes,"Every person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, abandonment or neglect must report immediately to the Florida Abuse Hotline by phone, in writing or online (s. 39.201(1), F.S.). Professionals such as teachers and day care or child care workers must give their names when reporting.","1-800-962-2873 (1-800-96-ABUSE), 24/7",https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline,"s. 402.305, F.S. (2026), licensing standards and ratios ; s. 402.302, F.S. (2026), definitions and exclusions ; Chapter 65C-22, F.A.C. (Rules 65C-22.001 and 65C-22.008) ; Child Care Facility Handbook (Dec. 2025), Ref-19085 ; School-Age Child Care Facility Handbook (Dec. 2025), Ref-19084 ; DCF: About Child Care Licensure ; s. 409.175, F.S. (2026), summer camp definitions and screening ; DCF: Summer Camp Requirements ; s. 943.0438, F.S. (2026), youth athletic coaches ; s. 39.201, F.S. (2026) ; DCF: Florida Abuse Hotline ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+GA,Georgia,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/georgia,"Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), Child Care Services",https://www.decal.ga.gov/CCS/,"Child care learning centers, meaning any place that cares for seven or more children under 18 for pay for less than 24 hours a day, need a DECAL license (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 591-1-1-.02). Family child care learning homes are licensed under separate rules. Every program providing group care must hold a license or an exemption, or complete DECAL's online self-assessment (591-1-1-.46(1)).","Exempt from licensing (591-1-1-.46(1)(c)): programs run by state, county or city government, including public-school before- and after-school programs staffed by school employees and parks and recreation programs; school-age programs run by or affiliated with a certified national youth membership nonprofit; certain private-school programs; programs serving children no more than 4 hours a day (not counting before- and after-school care); and day camps or school-break programs for children 5 and up that run no more than 12 hours a day. Exempt programs must complete DECAL's self-assessment, and some categories must apply for and keep an exemption. They must post a notice that they are not licensed, and parents must sign a form acknowledging it.",15,18,25,50,partly,"Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), exemption process only",https://www.decal.ga.gov/CCS/Exemptions.aspx,"Georgia has no youth camp license. Day camps and school-break programs for children 5 and older that run no more than 12 hours a day are exempt from child care licensing (Category 7, 591-1-1-.46(1)(c)7). They must complete DECAL's online self-assessment and keep a DECAL KOALA account, and camps that take Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) subsidies must apply for the exemption, meet background check rules and get annual DECAL monitoring visits. A day program serving children under 5 does not fit this exemption and may need a child care license.","Every director and employee must have a satisfactory DECAL Comprehensive Records Check Determination before being at the center while children are present. That check combines an FBI fingerprint check with sex offender registries and the criminal, sex offender and child abuse and neglect registries of every state lived in during the past 5 years. Provisional employees may start with a satisfactory fingerprint check if supervised at all times. Rechecks are required at least every 5 years, after a 180-day gap in child care work, or after an arrest (591-1-1-.09; O.C.G.A. §20-1A-30 et seq.). Exempt camps and programs must meet these rules only if they receive CAPS subsidy funding (591-1-1-.46(1)(a)8).","Except for first aid, staff may give prescription or over-the-counter medicine only with specific written authorization from the parent or the child's physician. The authorization lists the child, medicine, dose, dates and times, and is valid for 2 weeks unless a physician orders longer. Medicine must be in its original container labeled with the child's name and stored locked or out of children's reach. Each dose is recorded with date, time, amount, any reaction, and the giver's initials (591-1-1-.20).",no,"Mandated reporters are listed in O.C.G.A. §19-7-5(c)(1). The list includes teachers, school staff, child welfare staff and 'child service organization personnel': employees and volunteers of any organization that provides care, education, supervision, coaching or recreation to children. That covers child care, camp, after-school and youth sports staff. Report immediately and no later than 24 hours by phone, online or by fax (§19-7-5(e)). Licensed centers must also tell DECAL within 24 hours or the next work day that a report was made (591-1-1-.29(1)).","1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453), 24/7",https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/child-abuse-neglect,"Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 591-1-1, Rules for Child Care Learning Centers (incl. .32 ratios, .46 exemptions) ; DECAL Child Care Services ; DECAL Exemptions ; Georgia Office of the Child Advocate: Mandated Reporting (text of O.C.G.A. §19-7-5) ; Georgia DFCS: Child Abuse & Neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+HI,Hawaii,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/hawaii,"Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division, Child Care Licensing",https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/child-care-program/child-care-licensing/,"DHS licenses group child care centers (age 2 and up) and group child care homes (7-12 children), infant and toddler centers (6 weeks to 36 months), and before- and after-school child care facilities (children 4 years 8 months and older enrolled in elementary school). Family child care homes caring for 3-6 unrelated children must register. Under the rules, a 'child care center' includes holiday and summer care for elementary school-age children (HAR §17-892.2-1, §17-896.1-1).","HRS §346-152 exempts, among others: care for less than 6 hours a week; programs licensed or certified by the Department of Education; DOE after-school, weekend and summer recess programs and county programs under HRS §302A-408; programs offering only specialized training or skill development to K-12 students (such as sports, dance, music, language or martial arts); incorporated multiservice organizations or community associations running recreation programs for students through age 17; programs for children 4 and older that run no more than two consecutive weeks in a three-month period; and programs licensed by the Hawaii Council of Private Schools (on application to DHS).",12,16,20,40,no,,,"We found no separate Hawaii youth camp license. DHS rules count summer care for elementary school-age children as child care, so a summer day program may need a DHS child care license unless it fits an HRS §346-152 exemption. Exemptions include DOE and county summer programs, programs run by incorporated multiservice or community organizations, sports or skill-only programs, and programs of no more than two consecutive weeks in a three-month period.","Everyone in a licensed or registered child care facility must consent to DHS background checks before working on site, and again every year by the anniversary of their last consent. The checks are an FBI fingerprint check, a fingerprint-based state criminal check, state and national sex offender registries, the child abuse and neglect registry, the adult abuse perpetrator registry, and employment history (HAR §17-801-4; §17-892.2-3(d)). The rules also apply to 'exempt child care facilities', but how that reaches license-exempt camps is not confirmed. We found no separate camp background check law.","Prescription medicine must be in its original container with the pharmacy label showing date filled, directions and the child's name, kept out of children's reach, and returned to parents when no longer used. A parent must sign an authorization. Over-the-counter medicine needs written permission and instructions from the parent or physician (HAR §17-892.2-45; §17-896.1-45).",no,"Mandated reporters are listed professions, including child care providers and employees of licensed or registered child care facilities, school employees, and employees of public or private agencies providing recreational or sports activities (HRS §350-1.1(a)). Report immediately by phone to DHS or the police, then follow up in writing to DHS as soon as possible.","808-832-5300 (Oahu, 24/7); 1-888-380-3088 (toll-free from neighbor islands)",https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/ssd/home/child-welfare-services/,"DHS Child Care Regulations (links to HAR ch. 17-891.2, 17-892.2, 17-895.1, 17-896.1) ; HAR ch. 17-892.2, Group Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (eff. June 2024) ; HAR ch. 17-896.1, Before and After School Child Care Facilities (eff. April 19, 2024) ; DHS: Exemptions from Child Care Regulation ; HRS §346-152, Exclusions; exemptions ; HAR §17-801-4, Background checks ; HAR §17-801-2, Definitions (exempt child care facility) ; HRS §350-1.1, Reports ; DHS Child Welfare Services (reporting numbers) ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+ID,Idaho,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/idaho,"Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW), Daycare Licensing",https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/child-care-providers/becoming-child-care-provider,"A state daycare license is required to care for 7 or more children for pay: a group daycare facility (7 to 12 children) or a daycare center (13 or more). Family daycare homes with 6 or fewer children don't need a state license (though anyone caring for 4 or more must pass the state background check), and a city or county with its own daycare ordinance can license providers locally instead (Idaho Code §§39-1102, 39-1108, 39-1114; IDAPA 16.06.03.009, 16.06.03.101).","Idaho's daycare licensing law does not apply to day camps, programs, and religious schools that run less than 12 weeks a year or no more than once a week, to after-school programs for children over 4 or in kindergarten, to school educational programs for children over 4, or to occasional care while parents are in the same building (Idaho Code §39-1103; IDAPA 16.06.03.100.06).",13,13,25,,no,,,"Idaho has no youth camp license. Overnight children's camps where no child stays 9 or more consecutive weeks a year are exempt from children's residential care licensing (Idaho Code §39-1206), and day camps that run less than 12 weeks a year or no more than once a week are exempt from daycare licensing (Idaho Code §39-1103). A day program for 7 or more children that runs longer may need a daycare license.","Owners, operators, staff, and anyone 13 or older who has unsupervised contact with children or is regularly on the premises must clear an IDHW enhanced background check: fingerprint-based state and FBI criminal history plus child protection registry checks in every state lived in during the past 5 years. Checks must be renewed at least every 5 years, and 13- to 17-year-olds also need juvenile justice record checks (Idaho Code §39-1105; IDAPA 16.06.03.009; IDAPA 16.05.06). Camps that are exempt from daycare licensing are not covered by these rules, and we found no separate camp check law.","No one may give a child any medication without authorization from the parent or caretaker, and all medications, refrigerated or not, must be kept in a locked box or otherwise out of children's reach (IDAPA 16.06.03.380.20). The state rule does not set container, log, or staff-training requirements.",yes,"Any person, including daycare owners, operators, and staff, who has reason to believe a child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected must report it within 24 hours to IDHW or law enforcement; failing to report is a misdemeanor (Idaho Code §16-1605; IDAPA 16.06.03.421).",855-552-KIDS (5437) statewide; 208-334-KIDS (5437) in the Treasure Valley,https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/children-families-older-adults/child-and-family-services-and-foster-care-3,"Idaho Code §39-1109 (safety standards, ratio points) ; Idaho Code §39-1103 (exemptions) ; IDAPA 16.06.03 Daycare Licensing (LII mirror) ; IDAPA 16.06.03.300 Child-staff ratio ; IDHW: Becoming a child care provider ; Idaho Code §39-1206 (children's camps) ; IDAPA 16.06.03.100 (exemptions) ; IDAPA 16.06.03.009 Background check requirements ; IDAPA 16.05.06.010 Definitions (enhanced clearance) ; Idaho Code §39-1105 (criminal history checks) ; IDHW Background Check Unit ; IDAPA 16.06.03.380 Health standards (item 20, Medication) ; IDHW: Reporting neglect, abuse, or abandonment ; IDAPA 16.06.03.421 Mandatory reporting ; Idaho Code §16-1605 ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+IL,Illinois,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/illinois,"Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), Child Care Licensing (took over from DCFS on July 1, 2026)",https://idec.illinois.gov/forproviders/licensure.html,"Day care centers (care for more than 3 children in a facility other than a family home, or more than 8 in a family home) need a state license, and so do day care homes and group day care homes. Homes caring for no more than 3 children, or only children from one household, are exempt (225 ILCS 10/2.09; 89 Ill. Adm. Code 377.3).","No license is needed for programs run by public or private schools, or for out-of-school-time programs serving only kindergarten-age and older children that meet set conditions: IDPH or local health and fire safety standards, ISP/FBI fingerprint, sex offender registry, and CANTS checks for staff and volunteers, and written notice to parents that the program is not licensed. Recreation, athletics, and crafts programs run by civic, charitable, or government groups are also exempt, with park district programs limited to 3.5 hours at a time and 25 hours a week (225 ILCS 10/2.09); a new exemption structure starts July 1, 2027 (July 1, 2028 for park districts) under Public Act 104-0480.",10,10,20,30,yes,Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH),https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/youth-camps-campgrounds.html,"IDPH licenses youth camps under the Youth Camp Act (210 ILCS 100): any day or resident camp serving 5 or more children under 18 away from their parents for 3 or more consecutive days, or 5 or more days a year. Apply at least 45 days before opening; licenses expire December 31 and are renewed yearly after inspection of water, sewage, sanitation, food service, and swimming facilities.","Licensed child care staff, volunteers, and others with access to children need fingerprint-based Illinois State Police and FBI criminal history checks, checks of Illinois' child abuse and neglect tracking system (CANTS) and other states' child protection registries, and the Illinois and national sex offender registries; authorizations are filed at hiring and at each license renewal (89 Ill. Adm. Code 385.20, 385.40). DCFS still processes these checks for IDEC until about July 1, 2027. We found no background check rule for IDPH-licensed youth camps, but license-exempt school-age programs must run the same ISP/FBI, sex offender registry, and CANTS checks (225 ILCS 10/2.09(j)).","Centers need a written medication policy. Medicine must be in its original container (prescriptions with the full pharmacy label, over-the-counter labeled with the child's name), given only with parent permission by a designated staff member, logged with date, time, dose, and who gave it, and kept locked and out of children's reach; sunscreen, diaper cream, and similar products need written parent approval (89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360).",no,"Listed professionals must report immediately to DCFS when they have reasonable cause to believe a child they know through work may be abused or neglected, including child care and day care center staff, school personnel, and recreation or athletic program staff (325 ILCS 5/4). Anyone else may report.",1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873),https://dcfs.illinois.gov/safe-kids/reporting.html,"89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190 Grouping and staffing (LII mirror) ; IDEC: Child care licensure (ratios, background checks) ; 89 Ill. Adm. Code 377.3 Programs exempt from licensure ; 225 ILCS 10/2.09 (day care center definition and exemptions) ; IDEC transition FAQ (July 2026) ; IDPH: Youth camps and campgrounds ; 210 ILCS 100/3.01 (youth camp definition) ; 210 ILCS 100/5 (license required) ; 89 Ill. Adm. Code 385.20 Definitions (background check) ; 89 Ill. Adm. Code 385.40 Authorization for background checks ; 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360 Medications ; DCFS: Reporting child abuse and neglect ; DCFS online reporting form ; 325 ILCS 5/4 (persons required to report) ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+IN,Indiana,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/indiana,"Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL)",https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/become-a-child-care-provider,Child care centers (a nonresidential building where at least one child gets paid care for more than 4 hours a day for 10 consecutive days) and child care homes must be licensed by FSSA; church-run programs may instead register as unlicensed registered child care ministries (IC 12-17.2; 470 IAC 3-4.7).,"Programs that meet an exemption in IC 12-17.2-2-8 do not need a license. Since July 1, 2025, programs run by public or private schools on school property for their own students can qualify if they meet health, safety, and fire standards (House Bill 1253), and certain school-age child care programs are listed as exempt (IC 12-17.2-2-8(10)); exempt programs that accept CCDF child care vouchers must still meet state health and safety standards as Legally Licensed Exempt Providers.",11,13,20,40,partly,"Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), Environmental Public Health",https://www.in.gov/health/eph/youth-camps,"IDOH regulates youth camps under 410 IAC 6-7.2, which covers places giving more than 72 continuous hours of outdoor group living to 10 or more children under 18 without a parent (in practice, overnight camps); IDOH inspects these camps and must approve plans before a camp is built or altered. Day camps are not covered by that rule; a day camp may need an FSSA child care license if it meets the child care center definition and no exemption applies.","Child care staff and volunteers in licensed centers and homes, registered ministries, and exempt providers that take vouchers need a federal and an Indiana fingerprint-based criminal history check (including juvenile history), plus checks of the Indiana Child Protection Index and the Indiana Sex Offender Registry, and out-of-state checks if they lived elsewhere. The fingerprint check is redone every 3 years (or after more than 180 days out of Indiana child care work), and the registry checks every year. Indiana's youth camp rule (410 IAC 6-7.2) has no background check requirement.","Medicine must be in its original container and given only with written parent permission and, except for a few over-the-counter products named in the center's approved health plan, a written order or prescription from a licensed prescriber. It must be locked up (not in the kitchen or a bathroom), and each dose is recorded with the child's name, medicine, dose, date, time, and caregiver's name; sunscreen, insect repellent, and similar products need written parent approval (470 IAC 3-4.7-88, 3-4.7-40).",yes,Indiana requires anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected to report it to the DCS hotline or police (IC 31-33-5); child care center staff must report immediately (470 IAC 3-4.7-13).,1-800-800-5556,https://www.in.gov/dcs/hotline,"FSSA: Licensed child care center ratio chart (2026) ; FSSA: 2025 early childhood legislative and rule changes ; FSSA: Laws, rules and related policies ; FSSA: Indiana child care program matrix ; 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 Child/staff ratios and supervision (LII mirror) ; IDOH: Youth camps ; 410 IAC 6-7.2 Youth camps (PDF) ; FSSA: Background check requirements ; 470 IAC 3-4.7-88 Medication (LII mirror) ; 470 IAC 3-4.7-40 Children's medication records (LII mirror) ; Indiana DCS: Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline ; 470 IAC 3-4.7-13 Reporting child abuse or neglect (LII mirror) ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+IA,Iowa,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/iowa,"Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), Child Care Licensing",https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/child-care/child-care-licensing,A facility giving child care or preschool to 7 or more children must be licensed as a child care center or preschool unless it is registered as a child development home; home-based providers are regulated through child development home registration (Iowa Code §237A.1; 441 IAC 109).,"Iowa's definition of child care leaves out school-run instructional programs (prekindergarten and up), recreation or social programs run by a city or other political subdivision for school children 5 and older, after-school or summer-only programs for enrolled students 5 and older that charge only a nominal membership fee or nothing, special activity programs (sports, music, scouting, and similar) meeting under 4 hours a day, nationally accredited camps, and classes under 2 weeks held during school breaks (Iowa Code §237A.1(2)).",10,12,15,,no,,,"Iowa has no state youth camp license; the Iowa Code has no youth camp chapter. Nationally accredited camps are excluded from child care licensing, but a non-accredited day camp serving 7 or more children may need a child care center license unless another exclusion applies, such as a city recreation program for school children or a summer-only program with only a nominal fee (Iowa Code §237A.1).","Owners, directors, staff, volunteers, and subcontractors with direct responsibility for children or access to a child alone, plus household members 14 and older, need Iowa criminal history, child abuse, and sex offender registry checks before starting, repeated at least every 2 years, and a national FBI fingerprint check repeated every 4 years (441 IAC 109.6(4)). Because Iowa has no camp licensing law, there is no separate camp check requirement.","Centers must have written procedures for authorizing, storing, giving, and recording all medicines. Only staff over 18 who have completed medication training may give medicine; it must be in the original labeled container (over-the-counter medicine labeled with the child's name) and stored out of reach, each dose is logged, and long-term authorizations can't run longer than the prescription (441 IAC 109.10(1)).",no,"Listed professionals must report within 24 hours, including employees and operators of licensed child care centers, registered child development homes, and Head Start programs; school employees 18 and older; and holders of a state coaching authorization. Mandatory reporters must complete state training within 6 months of starting and every 3 years (Iowa Code §232.69).",800-362-2178,https://hhs.iowa.gov/report-abuse-fraud,441 IAC 109 Child care centers (rule 109.8 staff ratio) ; Iowa Code §237A.1 Definitions and exclusions ; Iowa HHS: Child care licensing ; Iowa Code chapter list ; Iowa HHS: Report abuse and fraud ; Iowa HHS: Mandatory reporters ; Iowa Code §232.69 ,2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+KS,Kansas,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/kansas,"Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC), Child Care Licensing (took over from KDHE on July 1, 2026)",https://www.koec.ks.gov/providers/child-care-licensing,"Since July 1, 2026, the Kansas Office of Early Childhood licenses every day care facility for children under 16: day care homes, group day care homes, preschools, child care centers (13 or more children, or fewer if licensed as a center), school-age programs, and youth development programs (K.S.A. 75-7707, 75-7708; K.A.R. 28-4-420).","A program serving only school-age children needs a license if 2 or more children attend 12 or more hours a week for more than 2 consecutive weeks. Single-subject classes or activities (a sports league, dance class, martial arts), programs run by a local government or school district for no more than 4 consecutive hours a day or no more than 2 consecutive weeks, and summer instructional camps run by a nonprofit or school are not licensed (K.A.R. 28-4-578; K.S.A. 75-7707).",12,12,16,32,partly,Kansas Office of Early Childhood (licenses day camps as school-age programs),https://www.koec.ks.gov/providers/child-care-licensing,"We found no separate Kansas youth camp license, but day camps for school-age children are licensed as school-age programs, with specific rules for outdoor summer camps and mobile summer programs (K.A.R. 28-4-586), when children attend 12 or more hours a week for more than 2 weeks. Summer instructional camps run by a nonprofit, school, or nonpublic school are exempt (K.S.A. 75-7707). How overnight (resident) camps are regulated was not confirmed.","Applicants, licensees, center employees, volunteers counted in the ratio, and anyone with unsupervised access to children need fingerprint-based Kansas Bureau of Investigation and FBI checks covering every state lived in during the past 5 years; others regularly in the facility need name-based KBI and Kansas DCF checks. Checks are submitted with each initial and renewal license application and before anyone starts, and people on child abuse and neglect or sex offender registries are barred (K.A.R. 28-4-125; K.S.A. 75-7719). Licensed school-age programs and summer camps follow the same process (K.A.R. 28-4-584).","Staff must complete medication administration training before giving any medicine and need written parent permission; medicine must be in its original container (pharmacy label for prescriptions, child's first and last name on over-the-counter medicine), given as the label directs, documented on the state form in the child's file, and kept in locked storage (K.A.R. 28-4-132(i), 28-4-423).",no,"Listed professionals must report promptly when they suspect abuse or neglect, including licensed child care providers and their staff, teachers and other school employees, and medical, mental health, and law enforcement workers (K.S.A. 38-2223). Child care center staff must report to the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) within 24 hours (K.A.R. 28-4-430).",,,"K.A.R. 28-4-428 Staff requirements (ratio table, LII mirror) ; K.A.R. 28-4-420 Definitions ; K.A.R. 28-4-578 School-age program licensure and exclusions ; K.S.A. 75-7707 License required; exemptions ; K.S.A. 75-7706 Transfer of rules to the Office of Early Childhood ; Kansas Office of Early Childhood: Child care licensing ; K.A.R. 28-4-586 Outdoor summer camps and mobile summer programs ; K.A.R. 28-4-125 Background checks ; K.A.R. 28-4-584 Background checks (school-age programs) ; K.S.A. 75-7719 Prohibited persons; fingerprinting ; K.A.R. 28-4-132 Child care practices (medication administration) ; K.A.R. 28-4-423 Physical plant (locked medication storage) ; K.S.A. 38-2223 Persons required to report ; K.A.R. 28-4-430 Health practices; illness and abuse ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+KY,Kentucky,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/kentucky,"Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS): Office of Inspector General, Division of Regulated Child Care (licensing and inspections), with rules set by the Department for Community Based Services, Division of Child Care",,"Child-care centers must be licensed: Type I centers care for 4 or more children in a nonresidential setting (or 13 or more in space separate from the licensee's home), and Type II centers care for 7 to 12 children in the licensee's own home. Family child-care homes are regulated separately through certification (922 KAR 2:090; 922 KAR 2:100).","Exempt from center licensing: summer camps permitted by the Cabinet as youth camps that serve school-age children; K-12 private schools while in session; programs regulated by the Kentucky Department of Education; after-school programs that continue the school day, are run and staffed by an accredited school, and don't take Child Care Assistance Program funds; instructional programs open no more than 20 hours a week that a child attends no more than 10 hours a week; and religious summer programs a child attends for 2 weeks or less (922 KAR 2:090, Section 3).",12,14,15,30,yes,"Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public Health (youth camp permits)",,"A Cabinet youth camp permit is required to operate a day, primitive, or residential camp for 5 or more children (902 KAR 10:040); permits are issued after inspection, expire December 31, and day camps file an extra day-camp application. Instructional studios, vacation Bible schools, and youth troop trips under 72 hours are not youth camps. Summer camps permitted as youth camps that serve school-age children are exempt from child care licensing (922 KAR 2:090, Section 3).","Child care staff (owners, directors, employees present while children are in care, adult household members in home-based programs, and anyone with supervisory control or unsupervised contact) must clear checks before starting: Kentucky's child abuse and neglect central registry, the Kentucky and national sex offender registries, and a fingerprint-based Kentucky State Police and FBI check with rap back. Checks are repeated at least once every 5 years and after a break of 180 days or more from Kentucky child care work (922 KAR 2:280). Youth camp staff, contractors, and volunteers need a Cabinet child abuse and neglect records check (or a 922 KAR 2:280 check or a state and national criminal check) before working at camp (902 KAR 10:040, Section 14).","Prescription and over-the-counter medicine may be given only with a written request from the parent or the child's prescriber and according to the label; the center keeps a written log of time, date, amount, staff member, child, and medicine. Medicine must be in the original bottle, properly labeled, not expired, and stored in a separate locked place out of children's reach (epinephrine and rescue medicine have their own rules) (922 KAR 2:120, Section 7).",yes,"Kentucky law requires any person who suspects child abuse, neglect, or dependency to report it (KRS 620.030); the federal Child Welfare Information Gateway lists Kentucky as an all-persons reporting state. Licensed child-care centers must report abuse or neglect to the Cabinet under KRS 620.030 (922 KAR 2:090, Section 13).",,,"922 KAR 2:120 Child-care center health and safety standards (LII mirror) ; 922 KAR 2:090 Child-care center licensure (effective 7/18/2025, LII mirror) ; 902 KAR 10:040 Kentucky youth camps (LII mirror) ; 922 KAR 2:280 Background checks for child care staff members (LII mirror) ; Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect ; 922 KAR 1:330 Child protective services (24-hour hotline) ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+LA,Louisiana,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/louisiana,"Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), Licensing Division, under rules adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE Bulletin 137)",https://doe.louisiana.gov/early-childhood/licensing,"Any early learning center must be licensed by LDOE before it opens. A child day care center is any place that cares for seven or more unrelated children, without a parent present, on a regular basis for at least 12.5 hours in a 7-day week (transport time counts); this includes school-age programs that meet that test.","State law exempts public and nonpublic schools serving kindergarten and up, camps (programs serving only children 5 and older that run only when school is out for summer or holidays, including Vacation Bible School), care given free of charge, registered family child day care homes, and 501(c) religious programs open no more than 24 hours a week (R.S. 17:407.35; LAC 28:CLXI.303). A private after-school program that charges a fee and meets the 7-children / 12.5-hours test needs a license.",13,15,23,46,yes,"Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health (campsite sanitation permit)",,"Camps (programs serving only children 5 and older that run only when school is out) are exempt from child care licensing. Separately, the state Sanitary Code requires a permit from the state health officer to operate a campsite, and the definition covers youth camps and day camps; this permit covers sanitation, water, toilets and sleeping areas, not staffing or program rules (LAC 51:XVI.101, 501). A program that also serves children under 5 does not fit the camp exemption.","Every owner, staff member, volunteer and most visitors and contractors at a licensed early learning center need an LDOE eligibility determination (CCCBC) before being present with children: fingerprint-based Louisiana and FBI criminal history, the Louisiana child abuse and neglect central registry, state and national sex offender registries, and registry checks in every state lived in during the past five years. A new determination is required at least once every five years. New hires may work provisionally only after a fingerprint result is back and only while monitored. Camps exempt from licensing have no state check requirement found.","Medication (prescription or over-the-counter) needs written, dated parent authorization with the drug, dose, route, times and dates, and must come in its original container labeled with the child's name; a log is kept for every dose, and as-needed and emergency medication plans are renewed at least every six months. Staff who give medication need LDOE-approved medication administration training (including epinephrine auto-injectors) every two years, and every center must have at least two trained staff, with one on site during operating hours.",no,"Listed professions must report, including child care and early learning center staff, teachers, coaches, and employees and volunteers of day camps, summer camps, youth centers and youth recreation programs (Children's Code Art. 603, 609). Reports must be made immediately, by the DCFS hotline for anything needing urgent help (Art. 610); separately, any adult who witnesses the sexual abuse of a child must report it (R.S. 14:403). Licensed center staff must also complete DCFS online mandated reporter training every year (LAC 28:CLXI.1727).",1-855-452-5437 (1-855-4LA-KIDS),https://www.dcfs.la.gov/child-welfare/reporting-child-abuse-neglect/,"LAC 28:CLXI.1711 child-to-staff ratios (LII mirror) ; LAC 28:CLXI.303 exemptions from licensure (LII mirror) ; R.S. 17:407.33 definitions (child day care center, camp) ; R.S. 17:407.35 exemptions from licensure ; LAC 51:XVI.101 Sanitary Code campsite definitions (LII mirror) ; LAC 51:XVI.501 campsite permits (LII mirror) ; R.S. 17:407.42 criminal history and central registry review ; LAC 28:CLXI.1803 components of a CCCBC (LII mirror) ; LAC 28:CLXI.1807 who needs a CCCBC (LII mirror) ; LAC 28:CLXI.1811 five-year renewal and provisional hires (LII mirror) ; LAC 28:CLXI.1917 medication administration (LII mirror) ; LAC 28:CLXI.1725 medication management training (LII mirror) ; Children's Code Art. 603 definitions (mandatory reporters) ; Children's Code Art. 609 mandatory and permitted reporting ; Children's Code Art. 610 reporting procedure ; R.S. 14:403 failure to report; adult witnesses of sexual abuse ; DCFS: reporting child abuse and neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+ME,Maine,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/maine,"Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), Children's Licensing and Investigation",https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/provider-resources/child-care-licensing/becoming-a-childcare-provider,"Any program that regularly cares for more than two children under 13 for pay needs a license: child care centers (13 or more children), small child care facilities (3 to 12 children, not in the operator's home), nursery schools (sessions of 3.5 hours or less), and family child care homes, which have their own rule (10-148 CMR Ch. 33).","State law excludes licensed youth camps (including day camps), programs that teach a single skill such as karate, dance or basketball, and approved public or private K-12 schools (22 M.R.S. §8301-A(1-A)(B)). No separate exemption was found for school-age or after-school programs run by other operators; they are licensed like any child care facility.",7,10,13,,yes,"Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Health Inspection Program",https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/services/business-services/health-inspections,"Youth camps, including day camps, residential camps and trip and travel camps, need an annual license from Maine CDC's Health Inspection Program if they run 5 or more consecutive days and are operated for direct or indirect compensation (22 M.R.S. §§2491, 2495; 10-144 CMR Ch. 208). Programs run by municipal or school employees or volunteers mostly on municipal or school property are not youth camps under the law. A licensed youth camp does not also need a child care license; day camps may not charge hourly rates for child care.","Licensed child care providers must get a comprehensive check for the owner and every staff member or other person with care duties or unsupervised access to children: FBI fingerprint check, national sex offender registry, and state criminal, sex offender and child abuse and neglect registry checks for the current state and every state lived in during the past five years. Staff cannot start until OCFS issues a letter of eligibility, and checks are repeated at least every five years (10-148 CMR Ch. 34). Licensed youth camps must run a background check on all staff, counselors, volunteers and directors every year (national sex offender registry, state criminal and sex offender records, SSN and 5-year address trace), and registered sex offenders may not work there (10-144 CMR Ch. 208, §11(B)-(C)).","Prescription medication may be given only with written, signed and dated parent permission, only to the child it was prescribed for, and following the original container's label; over-the-counter medication also needs written parent permission (phone, text or email allowed in an emergency, followed by written permission). Every dose is logged, medications are kept out of children's reach and discarded when expired, and staff may not give medication until they have had medication training (10-148 CMR Ch. 32, §§12(H), 8(B)).",no,"Listed adults must report when acting in a professional capacity, including school personnel, child care personnel, youth camp administrators and counselors, health care practitioners, social workers, clergy and others (22 M.R.S. §4011-A). They must report to DHHS immediately and within no more than 24 hours; anyone else may report.",1-800-452-1999,https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/provider-resources/reporting-suspected-child-abuse-and-neglect,"10-148 CMR Ch. 32 Child Care Facility Licensing Rule (OCFS PDF, eff. Sept. 27, 2021) ; 22 M.R.S. §8301-A licensure and definitions ; OCFS Child Care Provider Licensing (rules page) ; 10-144 CMR Ch. 208 Youth Camps Rule (last amended May 5, 2025) ; 22 M.R.S. §2491 definitions (youth camp) ; 22 M.R.S. §2495 issuance of licenses ; 10-148 CMR Ch. 34 Child Care Provider Background Check Licensing Rule ; 22 M.R.S. §4011-A reporting of suspected abuse or neglect ; OCFS: reporting suspected child abuse and neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+MD,Maryland,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/maryland,"Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Early Childhood, Office of Child Care, Licensing Branch",https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/licensing,"Child care centers must be licensed by MSDE's Office of Child Care; a center is any program that gives child care at least twice a week on a regular schedule to children who are not siblings, including preschools, nursery schools and before- and after-school (school-age) programs. Family child care homes are registered under separate rules (COMAR 13A.15).","Exempt from center licensing: public schools during instructional hours, nonpublic kindergartens and elementary schools during instructional hours, certified youth camps, programs that run 6 weeks or less in a calendar year, and certain programs of tax-exempt religious organizations (COMAR 13A.16.01.01B; Education Art. §9.5-405). A before- or after-school program held in a school building still needs a license, but does not have to meet extra physical-plant rules beyond those for the school building.",10,10,15,30,yes,"Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Youth Camps Program, Center for Recreation and Community Environmental Health Services",https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/CHS/Pages/YCCertification.aspx,"Day, residential, travel and trip camps must get a youth camp certificate (or letter of compliance) from MDH before operating (COMAR 10.16.06.07). A youth camp serves 7 or more unrelated campers aged 3.5 to under 18 with mainly recreational or outdoor activities; a day camp runs at least 7 days within a 3-week period. Not covered: licensed child care, before- and after-school programs, programs that enroll children under 3.5, sports-league competitions, specialized instruction of 2 hours or less a day, and (subject to local standards) programs run by county or municipal recreation departments.","Child care center staff need a comprehensive check at least every five years: Maryland fingerprint criminal check, FBI fingerprint check, Maryland and national sex offender registries, the Maryland child abuse and neglect registry, and the same registries in any state lived in during the past five years; Maryland also uses fingerprint rap-back alerts (MSDE). Certain convictions bar employment outright (COMAR 13A.16.06.03). Youth camps must have a Maryland and FBI criminal history check and a Child Protective Services clearance on file for everyone in a position with access to campers, including volunteers, plus a checked personnel administrator before the camp opens (COMAR 10.16.06.21).","Any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, needs a signed and dated parent authorization on the state form plus approval from a licensed health practitioner; prescriptions must carry the pharmacy label, and at least one dose must have been given at home first. Every dose is recorded in the child's record, and only staff who have completed state-approved medication administration training may give medication, with at least one trained staff member present whenever children are (COMAR 13A.16.11.04).",yes,"Everyone in Maryland who has reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected must report to the local department of social services or law enforcement (Family Law §5-705). Health practitioners, police, educators and human service workers must also report orally as soon as possible and in writing within 48 hours (Family Law §5-704); child care staff must report directly, not through their director (COMAR 13A.16.07.02).",1-800-917-7383 (1-800-91-PREVENT),https://dhs.maryland.gov/child-protective-services/reporting-suspected-child-abuse-or-neglect/,"COMAR 13A.16.08.03 group size and staffing ; COMAR 13A.16.01.01 scope and exemptions ; Education Art. §9.5-401 definitions ; Education Art. §9.5-405 license required; exemptions ; COMAR 10.16.06.01 scope (youth camps) ; COMAR 10.16.06.02 definitions (youth camp, day camp) ; COMAR 10.16.06.07 certificate required ; MDH Youth Camp Certification ; MSDE: background checks and fingerprinting ; COMAR 13A.16.06.03 suitability for employment ; COMAR 10.16.06.21 youth camp criminal background investigations ; COMAR 13A.16.11.04 medication administration and storage ; Family Law §5-704 professionals' duty to report ; Family Law §5-705 duty of all other persons to report ; COMAR 13A.16.07.02 abuse/neglect reporting in centers ; Maryland DHS: reporting suspected child abuse or neglect ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+MA,Massachusetts,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/massachusetts,Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC),https://www.mass.gov/child-care-program-licensing,"EEC licenses family child care homes and group and school age child care programs: small group (10 or fewer children) and large group (more than 10 children) programs that regularly care for unrelated children under 14 outside their homes, including preschools, before- and after-school programs and summer programs, wherever they are located.",Exempt: any part of a public school system; private school programs for their own enrolled students (unless the program is mainly a school-age child care program or mainly preschool/kindergarten); Sunday school and religious classes; care while parents attend religious services; informal neighbor or relative arrangements; and occasional care (606 CMR 7.02). Recreational camps licensed by the local board of health are not licensed by EEC.,10,10,13,26,yes,"Local board of health in the camp's city or town, under Massachusetts Department of Public Health standards (105 CMR 430.000)",https://www.mass.gov/info-details/recreational-camps,"Recreational camps for children (day, residential, sports, travel or trip camps serving 5 or more children, operating any time from June 1 to September 30 or fewer than 15 business days at other times) must be licensed each year by the local board of health under DPH rules; any program that advertises itself as a camp must be licensed (105 CMR 430.020, 430.050). Not covered unless advertised as a camp: single-purpose classes or clinics run by municipal recreation departments, drop-in programs, and classroom-based instruction without high-risk activities. EEC-licensed child care programs running a summer camp in their licensed space are exempt from the camp rules (105 CMR 430.010).","All employees and interns of licensed group and school age programs, plus volunteers and others with unsupervised access to children, need an EEC Background Record Check: Massachusetts CORI, DCF child abuse/neglect findings, state sex offender registry (SORI), national sex offender registry, a fingerprint-based state and FBI check, and out-of-state checks for places lived in the past five years; it is renewed every 3 years (606 CMR 14.05; EEC). Recreational camps must get a CORI and state sex offender registry check for all staff and volunteers before they start (repeated at least every 3 years for continuously employed staff), plus out-of-state checks where practicable for non-residents (105 CMR 430.090).","Medication must be supplied by the parent in its original labeled container and given with written parent consent; prescription medication also needs health care practitioner authorization, and oral over-the-counter medication consent must be renewed weekly in group programs. Each dose is logged (child, dose, date, time, staff signature, missed doses), the first dose should not be given at the program except in extraordinary circumstances, staff who give medication must be trained and show competency, and at least one trained educator must be present whenever children are in care (606 CMR 7.11(1)(b), 7.11(2)).",no,"Listed professionals must report, including teachers, early education, preschool, child care and after-school staff in state-licensed or state-funded programs, clergy, police and health care workers (M.G.L. c. 119, §§21, 51A, as summarized in DCF's Mandated Reporter Guide). They must call DCF immediately and file a written report within 48 hours; recreational camp staff must also report immediately to DCF or the camp director, who must report to DCF immediately (105 CMR 430.093).","1-800-792-5200 (Child Abuse Emergency Line, nights, weekends and holidays; during business hours call the local DCF area office)",https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-child-abuse-or-neglect,"606 CMR 7.10 ratios and supervision (LII mirror) ; 606 CMR 7.02 definitions and exclusions (LII mirror) ; 606 CMR 7.00 official PDF (EEC) ; EEC: Learn about group and school age child care programs ; 105 CMR 430.010 scope and exemptions (LII mirror) ; 105 CMR 430.020 definitions (LII mirror) ; 105 CMR 430.050 license required (LII mirror) ; 105 CMR 430.000 (Mass.gov, eff. March 1, 2024) ; Mass.gov: Recreational camps ; 606 CMR 14.05 who needs a BRC and which checks (LII mirror) ; EEC Background Record Checks ; EEC BRC requirements: applicability, frequency ; 105 CMR 430.090 camp background information (LII mirror) ; DCF: Report child abuse or neglect ; DCF: Report as a mandated reporter ; DCF Mandated Reporter Guide ; 105 CMR 430.093 camp abuse and neglect reporting (LII mirror) ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+MI,Michigan,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/michigan,"Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Child Care Licensing Bureau",https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/early-childhood-education/cclb,"Any facility other than a private home that cares for one or more children under 13 for less than 24 hours a day without parents present must be licensed as a child care center; this includes preschools, before- and after-school programs and out-of-school-time programs, including those run by schools. Family and group child care homes are licensed under separate home rules.","Not a child care center under 1973 PA 116, per MiLEAP: Sunday school, vacation Bible school and short religious classes; care during religious services; programs mainly focused on teaching school-age children a specific subject such as dance, drama, music or religion (only during that instruction); drop-in group athletic or social programs for school-age children run by clubs or hobby groups such as scouting or youth clubs, where children can come and go at will; therapeutic programs; and care at recreation sites where parents stay on site. A school-age program run in a school building is still licensed but is excused from some facility rules (R 400.8401).",10,12,18,54,yes,"Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), camp licensing",https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/education-partnerships/out-of-school-time-and-summer-learning/camps/operate,"Children's camps (day, residential, troop and travel camps) need a state license under 1973 PA 116 when they serve more than 4 children apart from their parents for 5 or more days in a 14-day period in a natural environment; a day camp runs more than 4 but less than 24 hours a day. Michigan treats 'natural environment' as at least 51 percent of activities outdoors; a program that calls itself a day camp but does not meet the definition may need a child care center license instead.","Licensees, program directors, child care staff and unsupervised volunteers at licensed centers must pass a state comprehensive background check, including FBI fingerprints, before having unsupervised contact with children, and new staff awaiting results must always be supervised (R 400.8201; MCL 722.115n, 722.115q). Supervised volunteers need a sex offender registry check. Licensed camps must keep, before a staff member starts, a criminal history record from the Michigan State Police (or home-state equivalent), three references, and, for staff 21 and older, proof they are not a substantiated child abuse or neglect perpetrator (R 400.11109).","Only program staff may give medication, and only with prior written parent permission; medication must be in its original container labeled for the child, and prescriptions must carry the pharmacy label and be given as directed. Each dose is recorded (time, amount, staff signature) on a state form or approved substitute, one form per medication; topical over-the-counter products such as sunscreen need written parent permission once a year (R 400.8260).",no,"Listed professions must report under the Child Protection Law (MCL 722.621 et seq.), including regulated child care providers, teachers, school administrators and counselors, clergy, social workers, health workers, athletic trainers and law enforcement; anyone else may report. Mandated reporters must make an immediate oral report to MDHHS Centralized Intake (or use the online system) and follow with a written report within 72 hours. Licensed camps must have a written plan for reporting under the Child Protection Law (R 400.11115).",855-444-3911,https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/abuse-neglect/childrens/mandated-reporters,"R 400.8222 capacity, ratio and group size (LII mirror) ; R 400.8101 definitions, ages (LII mirror) ; R 400.8401 school-age center provisions and exemptions (LII mirror) ; MiLEAP: A Parent's Guide to Child Care Licensing (rev. May 11, 2026) ; MiLEAP: Rules, statutes and technical assistance ; MiLEAP: Start a licensed camp (camp types and when a license is needed) ; Children's and adult foster care camp rules, R 400.11101 et seq. (LII mirror) ; R 400.8201 comprehensive background check; fingerprinting (LII mirror) ; Michigan Child Care Background Check program ; R 400.11109 camp staff records (LII mirror) ; R 400.8260 medication (LII mirror) ; MDHHS: Mandated reporters ; MDHHS Mandated Reporter Resource Guide (Sept. 2025) ; R 400.11115 camp child protection plan (LII mirror) ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+MN,Minnesota,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/minnesota,"Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Licensing Division",https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/licensing,"Anyone operating a nonresidential child care program (care outside the child's home for less than 24 hours a day) needs a DCYF license unless excluded by law (Minn. Stat. §142B.05); centers follow Minn. R. ch. 9503, and school-age child care programs (more than 10 children, mainly school-age care) and drop-in programs are licensed as centers with some special rules (§142B.41, subd. 6).","Excluded from licensing (Minn. Stat. §142B.05, subd. 2): programs run by a public school for children 33 months or older; school-age programs run by a school, YMCA, YWCA or JCC; park and recreation board programs; scouting, clubs, sports and art programs; nonresidential programs running fewer than 30 days total in 12 months; qualifying nonprofit youth development programs for grades K-12 that give parents written notice they are unlicensed; religious instruction; and youth camps licensed by the Department of Health. Excluded programs that take child care assistance funds must be certified as license-exempt centers (ch. 142C).",10,10,15,30,partly,"Minnesota Department of Health, Food, Pools and Lodging Services Section",https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/recreation/lodging/rules/youthcamp.html,"The Department of Health licenses youth camps, defined as camps that provide both food and lodging (overnight) for 10 or more people for 5 or more days a year; its rules cover the site, sanitation, food, water, health care and first aid (Minn. Stat. §§144.71-144.74; Minn. R. 4630.2300-4630.4700). Day camps without lodging are not youth camps under that law; they need a DCYF child care license unless they fit a licensing exclusion (for example park and recreation programs, sports or art programs, nonprofit youth development programs, or programs running fewer than 30 days a year).","Child care center staff and others with direct contact need a state background study that includes fingerprints for a national (FBI) criminal check, Minnesota criminal and predatory offender records, Minnesota maltreatment records, the national sex offender registry, and criminal, sex offender and child abuse registries in every state lived in during the past five years; the study must be repeated within five years (Minn. Stat. §§245C.04, 245C.08). No background check requirement was found in the state youth camp rules (Minn. R. ch. 4630).","A center that chooses to give medicine needs written parent permission (also for diapering products, sunscreen and insect repellent) and written instructions from a physician or dentist for each prescription; a current pharmacy label counts as instructions. Medicine must be in its original container labeled with the child's name, never given past its expiration date, stored out of children's reach, and every dose recorded with the child's name, medication, date, time, dose and the signature of the person who gave it (Minn. R. 9503.0140, subp. 7).",no,"Professionals and their delegates in child care, education, health care, social services, mental health, corrections, probation and law enforcement, plus clergy, must report (Minn. Stat. §260E.06); anyone else may report. Reports go to the county or tribal social services agency or law enforcement immediately by phone, followed by a written report within 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) (§260E.09).",,https://dcyf.mn.gov/individuals-and-families/report-abuse,"Minn. R. 9503.0040 staff ratios and group size ; Minn. R. 9503.0005 definitions (age categories) ; Minn. Stat. §142B.05 who must be licensed; exclusions ; Minn. Stat. §142B.01 definitions (school-age child) ; Minn. Stat. ch. 142B full text (§142B.41 subd. 6) ; Minn. Stat. §144.71 youth camp definition ; Minn. Stat. §144.72 license required ; MDH: Youth camps ; Minn. Stat. §245C.04 when background studies are required ; Minn. Stat. §245C.08 information reviewed ; Minn. R. 9503.0140 health (subp. 7, administration of medicine) ; Minn. Stat. §260E.06 maltreatment reporting ; Minn. Stat. §260E.09 reporting requirements ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+MS,Mississippi,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/mississippi,"Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch","https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,183.html","A license is needed for any place that cares for six or more unrelated children under age 13 for any part of the day. This covers day care centers, preschools, school-age programs and summer day camps unless an exemption applies. Homes caring for five or fewer children can register voluntarily, and homes caring for 12 or fewer children in the operator's home have their own regulations.","Programs run inside an accredited elementary or secondary school are exempt. Accreditors include the Mississippi Department of Education, SACS, the Mississippi Private School Association, AACS, ACSI and Accelerated Christian Education. Also exempt: programs that run three weeks or less a year (such as vacation Bible school or scout day camps), care offered no more than two days a week as respite, and national membership groups such as Boys & Girls Clubs or the YMCA that charge only a nominal yearly fee ($600 or less) and meet their national standards (Miss. Code Ann. § 43-20-5).",14,16,20,40,partly,"Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch","https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,183.html","Overnight youth camps need an MSDH youth camp license under the Mississippi Youth Camp Safety and Health Law (Miss. Code Ann. Title 75, Ch. 74). This applies to camps on a permanent site running four or more consecutive 24-hour periods for 20 or more children aged 6 to 18. Athletic camps and hunting or fishing camps are excluded. Day camps are generally covered by child care licensing, which has specific summer day camp rules (Rule 1.22), unless an exemption applies, such as running three weeks or less a year.","All operators, employees and prospective employees of a licensed child care facility need a comprehensive fingerprint-based check before starting work. It covers the FBI and Mississippi criminal history, the state child abuse registry, the national and state sex offender registries, and other states when applicable. Staff can't start until MSDH issues a Letter of Suitability. The check is repeated every five years, and again after a break in service of more than 180 days. Volunteers who work 120 or more hours a year need the same check (Rule 1.5.2). The MSDH youth camp regulations do not include their own background check requirement.","The child's file must hold a parent's signed written authorization to give medication (Rule 1.6.7), and the facility's written procedures for storing and giving medication must be shared with parents before enrollment (Rule 1.4.1). Each dose must be logged with the date, time and the signature of the staff member who gave it (Rule 1.6.3). Staff who give medication must be able to read the directions and dispense it correctly (Rule 1.5.1).",yes,"Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-353 lists professionals, including child caregivers, school employees and ministers, and then adds 'any other person' with reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect, so everyone must report. The report must be made right away by phone or otherwise, with a written report following as soon as possible.",1-800-222-8000,https://reportabuse.mdcps.ms.gov/,"MSDH Child Care Facilities Licensure ; MSDH Regulations Governing Licensure of Child Care Facilities (effective Feb. 26, 2026) ; MSDH Child Care Regulations and Guidelines page ; MSDH How to Get a Child Care License (exemptions list) ; MSDH Youth Camp Regulations (Title 15, Part 11, Subpart 55, Ch. 4) ; MSDH Child Care Facility Laws page ; MSDH Comprehensive Background Checks ; MDCPS Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect ; MDCPS online reporting ; Child Welfare Information Gateway, Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (current through May 2023) ",2026.10,2026-10,"BackPR (2026). Youth program rules by state: childcare licensing, staff ratios, camps, background checks, medication and mandated reporting (version 2026.10, checked October 2026). https://backpr.com/data/state-rules.json. CC BY 4.0."
+MO,Missouri,October 2026,https://backpr.com/resources/states/missouri,"Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood, Child Care Compliance and Regulation",https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/child-care-licensing,"Anyone caring for more than six children, or more than three children under age 2, must be licensed by DESE unless exempt (RSMo 210.201, 210.211). License types are family child care homes (up to 10 children), group child care homes (up to 20) and child care centers.","Several programs are exempt under RSMo 210.211: school systems, summer or day camps run in good faith mainly for recreation, programs serving only children in grade 6 or above, neighborhood youth development programs, and child care under the exclusive control of a religious organization. Any program that receives state or federal child care funds (other than USDA food program funds) cannot claim an exemption, and unlicensed programs must tell parents in writing that they are not licensed.",10,10,16,32,no,,,"We found no Missouri state license for youth camps. Summer and day camps run in good faith mainly for recreation are exempt from child care licensing (RSMo 210.211.1(4)). A 'day camp' runs between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. when local schools are not in session, and a 'summer camp' runs May to September (RSMo 210.201). Both serve children 5 and older in kindergarten or above and can't share space with care for younger children. A camp that receives state or federal child care funds can't use the exemption.","Before working, child care staff must have a qualifying result on a check that includes an FBI fingerprint check, the national sex offender registry, and the criminal, sex offender and child abuse/neglect registries (including the Family Care Safety Registry) for Missouri and every state lived in during the past five years. New staff may start on a temporary eligibility notice if they are supervised at all times. Checks are repeated every five years (5 CSR 25-600.010 and .020; RSMo 210.1080). We found no separate state requirement for exempt camps.","Providers don't have to give medication, but if they do they need the parent's dated written permission stating how long it may be given. Prescription medicine must be in its original container labeled with the child's name, instructions and physician's name, and over-the-counter medicine in its original container labeled by the parent. All medication is stored out of children's reach or locked. Each dose is recorded with the date, time, amount and name of the person giving it (5 CSR 25-500.192(3)).",no,"RSMo 210.115 lists required reporters, including day care center workers and other child-care workers, teachers, principals and other school officials, health and mental health practitioners, social workers, ministers, law enforcement, and any 'other person with responsibility for the care of children'. They must report to the Children's Division immediately. Anyone else may report.",1-800-392-3738,https://dss.mo.gov/cd/can.htm,"DESE Child Care Licensing ; 5 CSR 25-500, Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers (Secretary of State)