EXECUTIVE ORDER 25-15

WHEREAS, accessible, affordable, and high-quality child care is critical to the economic and social well-being of Missouri’s families and communities; and

WHEREAS, child care providers play a vital role in supporting parents, caregivers, and employers by ensuring children are cared for in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments; and

WHEREAS, current and prospective child care providers report the current regulatory framework for child care as complex and cite heavy regulatory burdens that discourage individuals and organizations from entering or remaining in the field of child care; and

WHEREAS, the reduction of onerous regulations, while maintaining essential health and safety requirements, can support the growth of a competitive child care market, increase availability of child care options, and reduce financial burdens on families; and

WHEREAS, improving the readability, accessibility, and usability of licensing requirements and related materials can help prospective and current child care providers navigate the regulatory requirements more effectively; and

WHEREAS, fostering an environment that encourages the establishment and sustainability of child care providers will help address the growing demand for child care services across Missouri.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MIKE KEHOE, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby charge the Office of Childhood within the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education with improving the state regulatory environment for child care facilities and homes without compromising essential safety or health standards. 

I further order the Office of Childhood to identify, evaluate, and execute these regulatory reforms with input from stakeholders across the state, including at least the following:

  1. Rural child care providers;
  2. Urban child care providers;
  3. Child care home providers;
  4. Child care facility-based providers;
  5. Child care staff; 
  6. Child welfare advocacy organizations; 
  7. Legislators; and
  8. Families with children in licensed child care within Missouri.   

The Office of Childhood shall eliminate or substantively modify regulations that are duplicative, outdated, or unnecessarily burdensome, with the goal of reducing the regulatory requirements on state child care licensing by at least 10%. 

I further order the Office of Childhood to improve the readability and accessibility of the state child care licensing regulations. 

The Office of Childhood shall submit a comprehensive report to the Office of the Governor detailing the findings, proposed or planned actions, and actions taken as a result of this Order by September 1, 2025. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 28th day of January, 2025.

[signature of Michael Kehoe]
MIKE KEHOE
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[signature of Denny Hoskins]
DENNY HOSKINS
SECRETARY OF STATE

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