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Department of Early Learning and Care

Rulemaking


“Rules” are laws that participants in Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs must apply and follow, such as requirements for Oregon Pre-Kindergarten program or licensed child care. Rulemaking Advisory Committees (RACs) are made up of community members who provide crucial guidance in the rule writing process. Apply to join a RAC and help shape early learning programs in Oregon. 

This page provides the Rulemaking Calendar, Proposed Rules for Public Review and Comment, Rulemaking Advisory Committees that are recruiting or meeting, and Recently Adopted Rules.

Rulemaking Calendar

Visit the Oregon State Legislature, Oregon Transparency Administrative Rules, and Secretary of State’s Oregon Administrative Rules (look for Chapter 414 - Department of Early Learning and Care) webpages for the most accurate laws and rules.

Access the Oregon public meetings schedule 

You are entitled to language assistance service and other accommodation at no cost. If you need help in your language or other accomodations, please contact DELC at DELC.RulesCoordinator@delc.oregon.gov.


Proposed Rules for Public Review and Comment

“Rules” are laws that participants in Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) programs must apply and follow, such as requirements for Oregon Prenatal-Kindergarten Program or licensed child care. Rulemaking Advisory Committees (RACs) are made up of community members who provide crucial guidance in the rule writing process. RAC members provide input and suggestions for rulemaking while considering equity and fiscal impacts. Apply to join a RAC and help shape early learning programs in Oregon.

RACs meet between one to three times to discuss rule amendments or proposals. RAC members are provided compensation for participation. At this time, RACs are held virtually. Listed below are RACs that are currently recruiting or meeting. If you see a RAC listed, but applications are closed, you can provide feedback by reaching out to the staff contact listed.

You may submit Public Comment to the Department of Early Learning and Care on our Public Comment Form or by emailing DELC's Rules Coordinator at DELC.RulesCoordinator@delc.oregon.gov.

All written comments received during the public comment period will be posted on this site for public transparency.

Effective Date
Summary
​​No rules are currently open for public review and comment.
Notices
RAC Information
RAC Materials
Public Hearings
Public Comments
ELC Materials

Proposed - Temporary Rules

Status
Proposed - Temporary Rules
Effective Date
Summary
​​​​No rules are currently open for public review and comment.​
Notices
RAC Information
RAC Materials
Public Hearings
Public Comments
ELC Materials

Recently Adopted Rules

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/9/2025
Summary

​In December 2024, the ELC adopted administrative rules for certified family child care homes. These rules took effect July 1, 2025. During the implementation process, it was discovered that key safety rules were not incorporated into the final rules that were adopted. The rules of concern are related to Prevention and Management of Hazards OAR 414-360-0840, specifically the prohibition of illegal controlled substances on the premises and a general rule protecting children from water hazards.​

Notices
RAC Information

​RAC's and engagement will be held prior to the 180 day expiration date for temporary rules. 

RAC Materials
Public Hearings
​

Public Comments
ELC Materials

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2025
Summary
The ERDC program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care.​
Notices
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking​​
​
RAC Information
The ERDC program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care.

Questions or concerns? Please contact Regina Siefert at 503-602-8413 or regina.m.siefert@delc.oregon.gov.
RAC Materials
​Meeting Date:

  • April 30, 2025, 6-7 PM
Meeting Materials:


Webinar link:
ERDC RAC April 30, 2025 Recording:
​
Public Hearings
  • ​May 22, 2025. 5:00 PM​

Public Comments

​Public Comment Report - Employment Related Day Care Ruleset

ELC Materials

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
10/1/2025
Summary
Early Learning Hubs play a critical role in connecting and coordinating those services on a regional level. Hubs center the voices of families from communities who face historical and current inequities due to factors such as race, income, zip code, or language. With local leaders a​nd communities, Hubs help build a shared vision and support strategic planning by evaluating regional successes, barriers, and opportunities. Through these partnerships, Hubs coordinate priorities, funding, and services to more effectively meet the needs of early learning and care providers, young children, and families.
Notices
​Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RAC Information
​Participants asked to serve on this RAC will be invited to another RAC for Early Learning Hubs in the fall of 2025.​
​​Name​
Group Representation
​​​Begona Rodriguez
Early Learning Hubs
Damiana Maxwell
Early Learning Hubs
​Lourdes Reyna Alcala
 Early Learning Hubs
Families 
Health services
Cicily Moses
 Early Learning Hubs
Families 
Child Care Providers, including those who accept subsidy
Child Care Resource & Referral
Culturally specific, community-based organizations
Brett Walker
Child Care Resource & Referral
Jessica Nguyen
Early Learning Hubs
Kimberly Brown
Early Learning Hubs
Families
Culturally specific, community-based organizations
Child Care Provider Union
Advocacy organizations
Gretta Sagolla
K-12 education
Diane Wilkinson
Child Care Providers, including those who accept subsidy
K-12 education
Sara Stephens
​​Early Learning Hubs
​Rochelle Williams
​Early Learning Hub representative
K-12 education representative - High Desert ESD backbone organization
Debi Brazelton
Early Learning Hubs
K-12 education
​Lisa Harnisch
Early Learning Hubs
Holly Bartlett

Families
Child Care Providers, including those who accept subsidy
​Anneliese Sheahan
​Child Care Provider Union 
​Natasha Ilys
​Families
Child Care Resource & Referral
Advocacy organizations
Housing services 
​Gillian Wesenberg

​Early Learning Hubs
Families
​Lydia Gray-Holifield
​Early Learning Hubs
Families​
​Megan Glaze
​K-12 education
​Jennifer Laine
​​Early Learning Hubs
​Courtney Little Hoop
​Child Care Resource & Referral
Culturally specific, community-based organizations
​Sabi J Velasco
​Unión de Proveedores de C​uidado de Niños
​

Questions or Concerns? Please contact Early Learning Hub Coordinators, Nancy Hauth at nancy.hauth@delc.oregon.gov or 503-510-6398, or Maria Mendoza at maria.mendoza@delc.oregon.gov or 971-433-7878.
RAC Materials
Meeting Dates:

  • ​April 23, 2025, 4:30-6:00 PM
  • April 24, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM
  • May 8, 2025, 12:00-1:00 PM
Meeting Materials:

Recordings:

Public Hearings
YouTube Recording
  • ​May 12, 2025. 5:00 PM
Public Comments

Public Comment Report - Early Learning Hub Ruleset​


ELC Materials


Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
5/1/2025
Summary
Baby Promise offers free, high-quality early care and education for infants and toddlers from low-income families in Oregon. Serving children ages six weeks to three years, Baby Promise is a publicly funded program that uses CCDF funds to subsidize slots in eligible early learning and care programs to families with children (aged 6 weeks to 3 years) in coastal Douglas, Coos, Curry, Crook, Deschutes. Jefferson, and Multnomah counties.
Notices
​Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RAC Information
Questions or concerns? Please contact Maidie Rosengarden at 503-881-1441 | Maidie.Rosengarden@delc.oregon.gov.

RAC Materials
Meeting Date:

  • March 18th, 2025, 4:00-5:00 PM
Meeting Materials:


Public Hearings
​March 24, 2025, 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials

​Baby Promise ELC Roll Call and Vote .pdf​

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
3/1/2025
Summary
​The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) will be amending Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program. DELC is facilitating a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather feedback on proposed amended rules and identify supports that may be needed to implement the amended ruleset.​


The ERDC rule changes to be addressed at this time include changes to: 
  • 414-175-0006: Authorized Representatives: The term "beneficiary" is being replaced with "caretaker" in ERDC rules for consistency, aligning with the definition in OAR 414-175-0002 and other related rules. 
  • 414-175-0015: Eligibility Group Structure: The sentence "Each individual in the household group who applies for benefits is an applicant" is being removed from this rule to align with the definitions of caretaker and applicant in OAR 414-175-0002. 
  • 414-175-0023: Requirement to Establish a Child Care Need and Hours Authorizations: The change clarifies that distance learning hours are covered only for medical related concerns affecting the child, or household and family members the child has frequent contact with. Additionally, the change will provide clarity and detail on what is considered a medical related concern.​ This restores language removed during a COVID-specific rule repeal and broadens it to include all medical concerns. 
  • 414-175-0050: Income Limits and Copay Amounts: ERDC income limits and copay tiers are being updated for 2025 to align with changes in Federal Poverty Levels (FPLs) and State Median Income. Adding language to clarify that initial income limit standards must be met to determine eligibility before ongoing or exit income limit standards apply.   
  • 414-175-0052: Concurrent and Duplicate Program Benefits: This rule is being updated to remove incorrect language about being part of an OSIP-AB (Oregon Supplemental Income Program - Aid to the Blind) Benefit Group, which was mistakenly included when the ERDC program transferred from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) to DELC.  
  • 414-175-0055: Decision Notices: Updated to remove language about Intentional Program Violation (IPV) notices, as ERDC does not cite families for IPVs. It also replaces "caregiver" with "caretaker" for consistency and add new language allowing families to request changes to benefits verbally with a recorded signature, instead of requiring a written 457D form.  ​
Notices
​Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RAC Information
​For questions about participation, please contact Jennifer Heras 503-569-0546 or at jennifer.j.heras@delc.oregon.gov.​
RAC Materials
​Meeting Materials:

Public Hearings
​February 10, 2025, 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials

​ERDC ELC Roll Call and Vote.pdf​

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2025
Summary
​The Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) is developing Oregon Administrative Rules (O​​​ARs) that apply to Outdoor Nature-Based (ONB) Child Care settings. Due to this development, a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) was formed to gather valuable feedback on proposed rules and identify financial and equity effects that might result from the proposed rule language.​
Notices
​Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RAC Information
​Thank you to the following participants who shared their time and expertise on The Certified Outdoor Nature-Based RAC.



​​Name​
Affiliation
​​​Julie Siestreem
 Tribal Nation Representative
Yondella Hall
Representative from DELC funded early learning programs
​Rachel Turner
 Outdoor learning environment subject matter expert
Rae Alberg
 Parents/family members of children who attend ONB programs
Roxana Wilcox
 Representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments
Dani Stamm-Thomas
Hub Representative
Katrina Rose 
Child Care Resource and Referral Representative, Jackson County
Abby Hanner
Representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments
Heather Paladini
Representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments
Heidi McKay
​​Representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments
​Amanda Jewart 
​Representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments
​Karie Jackson
Representatives of licensed or recorded programs familiar with outdoor learning environments
​Dana Ultroske
Outdoor learning environment subject matter expert​
​Deziré Clark-Meindersee
Outdoor learning environment subject matter expert
​
For questions about participation, please contact Kendele Miyasaki, at Kendele.MIYASAKI@delc.oregon.gov​.
RAC Materials
​Meeting Materials:

Public Hearings
​February 24, 2025, 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials

ONB ELC Roll Call and Vote.pdf​

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
1/1/2025
Summary
​The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) amended Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program. DELC is facilitated​​ a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to gather feedback on proposed amended rules and identify supports that may be needed to implement the amended ruleset. ​The RAC was held on September 17, 2024.
Notices
​Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RAC Information
​For questions about participation, please contact Jennifer Heras 503-569-0546 or at jennifer.j.heras@delc.oregon.gov.
RAC Materials
​Meeting Materials:

Public Hearings
​October 16, 2024, 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials

​

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2025
Summary
​The Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) is revising the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) that apply to Certified Family and Registered Family Child Care Homes. Due to the revision, a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) was formed to gather valuable feedback on proposed rules and identify financial and equity effects that might result from the proposed updates.
Notices
​Certified Family Draft Rule Notice
Registered Family Draft Rule Notice
RAC Information
RAC Materials
​Meeting Materials:

Recordings:

Public Hearings
​October 28, 2024, 5:00 PM (Certified Family Child Care Rule Changes)
October 29, 2024, 5:00 PM (Registered Family Child Care Rule Changes)
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report - Certified
Hearing Officer Report - Registered
ELC Materials

​CF/RF ELC Roll Call and Vote.pdf

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2025
Summary
​DELC is proposing to adopt procurement rules that outline the Department's procurement and contracting policies and procedures. These proposed rules codify the Department’s current procurement procedures, which are guided by the Public Contracting Code and the Attorney General Model Rules. 
Notices
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RAC Information
​RAC Participants

​​Name​
Affiliation and Region
Theresa Martinez  
 Child Care Resource & Referral Agency; Portland 
Ann​eliese She​ahan
Child Care Provider Union - AFSCME; Gladstone
​Tiffiny Price
 Child Care Provider; Eugene
Jesse Burrows 
Child Care Provider Union - AFSCME; Portland
Mireya Rodriguez
Family; The Dalles
​
RAC Materials
Public Hearings
​May 22, 2024, 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2024
Summary
​DELC became an independent state agency on July 1, 2023. ORS 192.324(7) requires each public body to publish its procedure for making public records requests. These proposed rules clarify the definitions and process for making public records requests for public records when DELC is the custodian.
Notices
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RAC Information
RAC Participants
​
​​Name​
Affiliation and Region
Ton​ya Coker
 Child Care Provider; Salem
Ann​eliese She​ahan
Child Care Provider Union - AFSCME; Gladstone
​Tiffi​n​y Graven
 Child Care Provider; Portland 
Denise Hudson
 Child Care Resource & Referral Agency; Redmond
Nancey Patten
 Child Care Resource & Referral Agency; The Dalles
Trina Nichols-Reyes 
Child Care Provider; Gladstone
Jesse Burrows 
Child Care Provider Union - AFSCME; Portland
Quentyn Zbikowski
Family; Medford
​
RAC Materials
Public Hearings
May 23, 2024 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2025
Summary
​DELC is revising the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) that apply to Certified Family and Registered Family Child Care Homes. Due to this revision, a Community Workgroup was formed to assist with creating rule language on a set of topics that were identified during the recent listening sessions with family child care providers. OARs related to both license types were reviewed during the Workgroup. This work was completed prior to the development of each ruleset which will be reviewed by a Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) later this year.
Notices
RAC Information
​Thank you to the following workgroup participants who shared their time and expertise on the Family Child Care Rule Revision Workgroup.​​


​​Name​
Affiliation and Region
​​​Anna Pickel
Certified Family Child Care/AFSCME
​Heidi Lawler
Certified Family Child Care - Portland
​Gabrielle Escaler​​a
Registered Family Child Care - Springfield
Carmen Wolf
Certified Family Child Care - Hermiston
Lorena Moehring
Registered Family Child Care - St. Helens
Kelly Heichel
​​Certified Family Child Care - Roseburg
Tina Barnes 
Registered Family Child Care - Springfield
Rose Daily
Registered Family Child Care - North Bend
Denise Hudson
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) - Deschutes County
Dani Stamm Thomas
​​HUB Representative - Clackamas County
​Anneliese Sheehan 
​AFSCME
​Rosbinda Umanzor
Registered Family Child Care - Beaverton
​Xochilt Jimenez-Avilia
Registered Family Child Care - Gresham​
​Flor Silva
​Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) - Washington County
​Claudia Morales
​Registered Family Child Care - Beaverton
​
RAC Materials
​Meeting Materials:

Recordings:


Public Hearings
Public Comments
ELC Materials

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2025
Summary
The ERDC program helps families who are working, in school, or receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) pay for child care.

Rule amendments will include changes to:

  • Direct Provider Payments (414-175-0085): specify child care billing forms cannot be issued or reissued more than 12 months from the month that care was provided for budgetary reasons. 
  • Eligibility Group Structure (414-175-0015): clarify current policies on the five eligibility determination groups (EDG), household, filing, financial, need and benefits and will have no fiscal impacts for the agency, families, or providers. 
  • Definitions (414-175-0002): updating definition of Illegal activity to state that working in the marijuana or psilocybin industry is considered an "illegal activity.”  
  • General Financial Eligibility (414-175-0030): explains that working in the marijuana industry is considered an “illegal activity” under this rule as considered under federal law. ​
Notices
RAC Information
​Meeting Date:

  • May 2, 2024, 6:00-7:00 PM
RAC Participants:

​​Name​
​​Organization
​​​Jessica Porter
​​Early Learning Hub, Baby Promise; Coos Bay
​Anneliese Sheahan
Child Care Provider Union -AFSCME; Gladstone
​Rachael Lamet
Child Care Provider Union -AFSCME, Certified Family Provider; Salem
April Paul ​
​​Baby Promise  CCR&R; Redmond 
Natasha Ilys
211 – Provide child care referrals
Courtney Veronneau
​​Family Forward; Portland
Angela Zbikowski 
​​Foster Parent; Medford
Keisha Brewster
​Family​
Maria Del Carmen Perez Guzman
ERDC Certified Family Provider; Gervais
Ashley Records​
​​ERDC Certified Family Provider; Hermiston
​Liceth Montiel Lopez
​ERDC Certified Family Provider; Beaverton
​Lorena Samano Lopez
​ERDC Certified Family Provider; Tualatin
​Stephanie Lilly 
​Child Care Provider; Coos Bay ​
​
Questions or Concerns? Please contact Jennifer Heras, 503-569-0546, jennifer.j.heras@delc.oregon.gov.​​
RAC Materials
Public Hearings
​May 20, 2024, 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
7/1/2025
Summary
​During the 2023 legislative session, House Bill 2717 passed and requires the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) to create a pathway to license child care programs that primarily serve children in outdoor settings.
Notices


​

RAC Information
​DELC hosted a community workgroup to support the development of Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for these programs. The goal of the workgroup was to gather valuable feedback on topics that pertain to outdoor learning environments and discuss how OARs can be structured to support the health and safety of children in these programs.

Thank you to the following workgroup participants who shared their time and expertise on the Outdoor Nature-Based Workgroup Committee.​
​
​​Name​
​​Organization
​​​Rachel Turner
​​Operat​ors of Outdoor Nature-Based Programs Recorded through CCLD
​McKenzie Purdom
​​Operators of Outdoor Nature-Based Programs Recorded through CCLD
​Amy Nelson​
​​Operators of Outdoor Nature-Based Programs Recorded through CCLD
​Rebeca McDermitt​
​​Representatives from culturally specific organizations working with young children
​​Rayanna Van Dine
​Child Care Resource and Referral representatives
​​Melissa Moore
​​Operators of Outdoor Nature-Based Programs Recorded through CCLD
​Joseph Flaherty
​​Operators of Outdoor Nature-Based Programs Recorded through CCLD
​​​Sage Halvorson
​Parents/family members of young children​
​​Rhonda Schock
​​Operators of Outdoor Nature-Based Programs Recorded through CCLD
​Kendal Talcot​
​​Operators of Outdoor Nature-Based Programs Recorded through CCLD

RAC Materials
Public Hearings
Public Comments
ELC Materials

Status
Recently Adopted
Effective Date
5/1/2025
Summary
DELC has drafted the ruleset listed below, that allows for the adoption of the two documents (Guidebook and Manual) to guide implementation of the program until a larger ruleset is drafted and put forward to the Early Learning Council and the public. This first step allows DELC to place Baby Promise in RULE to guide implementation, while providing time for a larger ruleset to be drafted, tentatively planned for 2025.​
Notices
RAC Information
Rules for the Baby Promise Program were drafted in 2021 – 2022 but were not formerly adopted. Currently, the program does not have any rules to guide implementation of the program. The purpose of the RAC meetings is to review the two guiding documents for the Baby Promise Program and gather input and insight from RAC members regarding the documents.

Questions or Concerns? Please contact Maidie Rosengarden at 503-881-1441 | Maidie.Rosengarden@delc.oregon.gov
RAC Materials
​Meeting Dates:

  • ​Day 1: Feburary 20, 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
  • Day 2: February 27, 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
  • Day 3: March 5, 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 PM​​
Meeting Materials:

Public Hearings
​March 11, 2024, 5:00 PM
Public Comments
​Hearing Officer Report
ELC Materials