From NevAEYC
Dear Early Childhood Educators and Early Child Care Providers!
The Nevada State Legislature is considering a bill, AB 185, that would protect the right of homeowners to operate small, home-based child care businesses, even within communities governed by Homeowners Associations (HOAs). This is a crucial piece of legislation that will have a significant impact on families and child care providers in our community. As you know, access to affordable and quality child care is essential for working families. Home-based child care provides a vital service, offering a nurturing and flexible environment for children. Unfortunately, some HOAs are currently restricting or outright prohibiting these businesses, creating unnecessary hardship for families and limiting child care options.
This bill aims to address this issue by preventing HOAs from unreasonably restricting or prohibiting licensed or registered family child care homes. It’s vital that we demonstrate the widespread support for this legislation to our elected officials.
We need your help! We are asking you to consider testifying in support of this bill. Your personal stories and experiences as a child care provider, parent, or FFN will be incredibly powerful in demonstrating the importance of home-based child care.
Specifically, we are looking for testimony that highlights:
- Your personal experience with HOAs restricting or attempting to restrict home-based child care.
- The benefits of home-based child care, such as flexible hours, smaller group sizes, and a home-like environment.
- The challenges families face in finding affordable and accessible child care.
Ways to Testify: In the State of Nevada, citizens can testify in support of a bill three different ways:
- Testifying in Person: Citizens can testify in person at either the Las Vegas Legislative Office at 7230 Amigo St, Las Vegas, NV 89119 or at the Nevada Legislature in Carson City at 401 S. Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701.
- Testifying via Phone: Citizens can testify over the phone by calling (888) 475-4499.
- Testifying via Written Comment: Citizens who are unable to either testify in person or testify over the phone can testify via written comment by emailing AsmGA@asm.state.nv.us or emailing your testimony to either Justice Forest with NevAEYC at justice@nevaeyc.org or Carissa Pearce with Children’s Advocacy Alliance at carissa.pearce@caanv.org if you are not comfortable with sending written testimony directly to the Nevada Legislature.
While a bill hearing for AB 185 has not been schedule yet, we will reach out again to notify you once it has been scheduled. If you have any questions, please reach out to Justice Forest with NevAEYC at justice@nevaeyc.org or Carissa Pearce with Children’s Advocacy Alliance at carissa.pearce@caanv.org.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Together, we can ensure that families have access to the child care options they need.