(a) By January 31, 1998, the State Department of Education and the State Department of Social Services shall design a form for license-exempt child care providers to use for certifying health and safety requirements to the extent required by federal law. Until the form is adopted, the information required pursuant to Section 11324 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall continue to be maintained by the county welfare department or contractor, as appropriate.

(b) By January 31, 1998, the State Department of Education and the State Department of Social Services shall do both of the following:

(1) Design a standard process for complaints by parents about the provision of child care that is exempt from licensure.

(2) Design, in consultation with local planning councils, a single application for all child care programs and all families.

(c) (1) County welfare departments and alternative payment programs shall encourage all providers who are licensed or who are exempt from licensure and who are providing care under Section 8351, 8353, or 8354, to secure training and education in basic child development.

(2) Child care provider job training provided to CalWORKs recipients that is funded by either the State Department of Education or the State Department of Social Services shall include information on becoming a licensed child care provider.

(d) The State Department of Education shall increase consumer education and consumer awareness activities so that parents will have the information needed to seek child care of high quality. High quality child care shall include both licensed and license-exempt care.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 745, Sec. 11. Effective October 12, 2001.)