House Bill 2727 Background
In Oregon, the rules about where buildings can go, how they are constructed, and how they can be used may be affecting the number of places where early learning and care facilities are established. These rules include things like land use plans, limits on building or facility location, and the codes and permits needed to run a child care operation.
The project includes three distinct phases, (1) establishing background, (2) researching barriers, and (3) developing recommendations to reduce barriers. We are currently in phase 2 of the project, however, we welcome public input and questions throughout all phases. The project team is actively engaging with providers and other interested parties, especially those that serve historically underrepresented populations to ensure input is representative of the range of providers and the communities they work within.
The 2023 Oregon Legislature passed
House Bill 2727 directing the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to take a look at strategies for expanding early learning and care facilities across Oregon. A large portion of this work includes a review of the barriers related to zoning regulations, building codes, and permitting and procedures.
DLCD has hired ECOnorthwest to conduct research, engage with the community, and prepare a final report alongside a project work group formed with help from
The Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). The final report will include recommendations to:
- Reduce barriers to expanding early care and education (ECE) facilities.
- Support the expansion of ECE facilities in Oregon.
- Reduce disproportionate racial and regional disparities in access ECE facilities.
DLCD and DELC will convene a work group that includes participation by the
Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division and other parties prescribed by the bill to ensure best available data and representation of all Oregonians. Together, we will prepare a report for the legislature concerning the impact of zoning regulations, state and local building codes, and permitting practices that limit or support expansion of early learning and care locations.
At minimum, the review must identify and analyze:
- Specific barriers and challenges to siting, building or renovating early learning and care facilities, including barriers and challenges for co-locating early learning and care facilities with affordable housing and other entities;
- Potential and actual disparate impacts that zoning regulations, building codes and permitting practices have on providers based upon diversity factors, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, language, provider type and geographic location; and
- Promising local, state and national standards for promoting the expansion of early learning and care facilities.
The report will summarize research and recommendations for local governments generally, for the legislature, and for the Governor's office and relevant state agencies. The report will also provide recommendations specific to the local governments participating in the work group. The report must include recommendations to:
- Reduce barriers to expanding early learning and care facilities.
- Support the expansion of early learning and care facilities in this state.
- Reduce the disproportionate racial and regional disparities in access to early learning and care facilities.
Four work group meetings are expected to take place between February 1, 2024, and November 1, 2024. A final report on the work group's findings and recommendations will be presented to the legislature by December 31, 2024. Written public comment and input is welcome during all stages of the project.
The next work group meeting is scheduled for May 31, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will be available for the public to watch on our YouTube Channel. Subsequent meeting dates will be updated here as they are scheduled throughout the project duration.
Meetings