House Passes Mehaffie Bill to Improve Keystone STARS
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Thomas Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) that would make significant improvements to the state’s Keystone STARS program gained passage in the House of Representatives today.
Keystone STARS is a quality rating system for Pennsylvania’s child care centers. Child care programs participating in Keystone STARS can earn a rating from a STAR 1 to a STAR 4. At each level, centers must meet certain quality standards in areas such as staff education, learning environment, leadership/management, and family and community partnerships. The higher the STAR level, the higher the quality standards.
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House Bill 1020 would require the Department of Human Services to update Keystone STARS to allow child care employees and providers to receive ‘credit’ for years of experience in relation to the staff education component of the program,” said Mehaffie. “This change would reward on-the-job experience, which benefits the children and families these providers serve.”
The bill would also encourage child care providers to educate families about Keystone STARS by advertising their “STAR Status” on their front doors and website.
The legislation now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Thomas Mehaffie
106th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives