OKLAHOMA CITY – State lawmakers are trying to give military families greater access to child care for those stationed at Oklahoma bases.
Senate Bill 1286 authored by Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, would exempt child care facilities licensed by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard from undergoing Oklahoma licensing requirements. The state licensing process for some childcare facilities has experienced a backlog of up to a year, said Stanley, vice chair of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.
The proposal passed the Senate by a 44-1 vote on Feb. 17. The bill now heads to the House for its consideration.
State Senator John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, said the proposed measure would be a “great thing” for military families, especially for military spouses who have a “work opportunity.” The Department of Defense processes child care licensing faster than Oklahoma and would give military families easier and quicker access to child care facilities, Montgomery said.
Montgomery and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, voted for the bill.
Stanley and Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, met with Fort Sill and Tinker Air Force Base officials who called the need for greater access to additional child care a critical issue.
“We know there are numerous child care facilities that want to be able to serve these military facilities,” Stanley said. “My legislation will enable us to take advantage of the resources available through the Department of Defense to speed up this process and make sure our military and civilian families have access to the child care they need.”
Stanley said the measure is another way Oklahoma lawmakers can support the country’s military and civilian families who work at the state’s five bases.
“I hope the House of Representatives will act quickly to help us get this legislation to the governor for his signature,” she said.