Florida Daycare Requirements
Florida Specification Overview
The final copy of the Child Care Facility Handbook was released on January 9, 2022.
Child Safety Alarm Act Summary
On June 22, 2021 Senator Ron DeSantis signed into law SB 252. This bill requires all day care facilities who offer transportation in the state of Florida to have an electronic child safety alarm equipped on their vehicles.
For compliance, alarms need to be installed before January 1, 2022 as this is the date the law goes into effect.
The Florida Department of Children & Families was tasked with implementing a list of approved alarm manufactures (yes CCM is on this list) as well as providing direction on system operational requirements.
For compliance, alarms need to be installed before January 1, 2022 as this is the date the law goes into effect.
The Florida Department of Children & Families was tasked with implementing a list of approved alarm manufactures (yes CCM is on this list) as well as providing direction on system operational requirements.
Verbiage from the Child Care Facility Handbook, Page 17
F. . By January 1, 2022 all vehicles used by child care facilities to transport children must be equipped with a reliable alarm system approved by the Department which prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting the vehicle.
- Approved alarm systems must meet the following criteria:
- The alarm system must be armed or activated automatically when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on
- The alarm system must be designed and installed so that the vehicle horn, siren or other type of audio alarm will sound if the driver/staff member does not walk to the rear or, in the case of a passenger van, the side entry point of the vehicle, to manually shut off or deactivate the alarm.
- The time delay from the time the ignition is turned off after activation of the alarm system until the alarm sounds shall be no longer than one minute.
- The alarm must be audible from the distance of 500 feet from the vehicle.
- The alarm system must be installed so that the driver must walk to the back of the vehicle to reach the deactivation mechanism. Deactivation mechanisms installed in locations that do not require the driver to walk to the back of the vehicle and view all seating areas will not be acceptable.
- List of approved alarm manufacturers may be found on the Department’s website at www.myflfamilies.com/childcare .
- Alarms must be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Alarm systems installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions prior to October 1, 2021, will be deemed to satisfy this requirement if they meet the criteria set forth in 2.5.4.F.1. above. Under this allowance, the existing alarm system must always be properly maintained in working order. Should at any time the alarm system require replacement, the new system must be selected from the Department’s approved list referenced in 2.5.4 F.2. above.
To view the full handbook, please click here.
