Senate bill · S6550 (2025-26)
Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project
New York State Senate
Same as A5352, the matching bill in the Assembly.
Sponsor: Jabari Brisport (State Senator, District 25, Democratic/Working Families)
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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 19, 2026. About our data
Summary
Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project to explore establishing licensing guidelines for the operation of outdoor, nature-based child care programs in an outdoor space and that employ a nature-based early learning curriculum to teach enrolled children.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
Amends the Social Services Law.
Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
Section 1 includes legislative findings and statement of purpose. Section 2 amends section 390 of the social services law by adding a new paragraph (h) to define "outdoor, nature-based child care." Section 3 amends section 390 of the social services law by adding a new subdivision 2-b to establish a 4 year pilot project to explore estab- lishing licensing for outdoor, nature-based child cares, under which OCFS may adopt rules and curriculum to implement the program, waiving or adapting certain existing licensing requirements designed for indoor child care facilities where necessary; directs the department to convene an advisory group of outdoor, nature-based early learning practitioners to inform and support implementation of the program. Section 4 provides the effective date.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Children and Families · New York State Assembly
Also referred to Children And Families · New York State Senate, Ways and Means · New York State Assembly.
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Cosponsors
Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)- Democratic10
- Republican4
This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.
Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.
- Andrew Hevesi
- Brian Maher
- Deborah Glick
- Demond Meeks
- Jen Lunsford
- Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas
- Jo Anne Simon
- Josh Jensen
- Keith Brown
- Matthew Simpson
- Michaelle C. Solages
- Rebecca Kassay
Show the full list (14 names)Show fewer cosponsors
The sponsor's argument
Why Jabari Brisport says this is needed
The establishment of licensed outdoor nature-based child care programs recognizes both the dire shortage of child care in our state and the importance of nature in children's development. Numerous studies have shown that exposure to nature enhances cognitive abilities, creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall mental health. By providing children with access to outdoor learning environments, this program will contrib- ute to their holistic development and well-being. Outdoor activities promote physical fitness and reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues among children. Outdoor nature-based child care has been increasing in popularity nationwide in recent years. This bill would simply create a pilot project to explore a new child care licensing category in New York State which is not subject to some of the building requirements appropriate for indoor child cares, making it more financially feasible for new outdoor child care providers to enter the market and provide much-needed new child care slots.
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Full history
- May 29, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
- May 29, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
- May 29, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
NY Senate
- May 28, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED
NY Assembly
- May 28, 2026
Rules Report CAL.223
RULES REPORT CAL.223
NY Assembly
Show full history (13 earlier events)Show less history
- May 14, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Children and Families
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
NY Senate
- May 12, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES
NY Assembly
- May 7, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Ways and Means
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
- Mar 13, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Children and Families
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
NY Senate
- Feb 4, 2026
Amend and Recommit to Ways and Means
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
NY Senate
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
- Jun 6, 2025
Amend and Recommit to Children and Families
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
NY Senate
- Jun 6, 2025
Amend and Recommit to Ways and Means
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
- May 28, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
- May 20, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO CODES
NY Assembly
- Mar 17, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
NY Senate
- Feb 13, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
NY Assembly
Read the record
- Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.