Hold a public hearing and consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton adopting Standards of Care for recreational care programs administered by Denton’s Parks and Recreation department pursuant to Texas Human Resources Code Section 42.041(b)(14). The Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board recommends approval (5-0)

The City of Denton is holding a public hearing and considering the adoption of an ordinance to establish Standards of Care for recreational programs administered by the Parks and Recreation department. This is a requirement under Texas Human Resources Code Section 42.041(b)(14) to maintain an exemption from state daycare licensing for these programs. The Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board has recommended approval with a 5-0 vote.

Key Provisions and Changes:

• The ordinance adopts the City of Denton Parks and Recreation Standards of Care for 2026-2027 (Exhibit 4), which are intended to meet or exceed current state daycare requirements.
• These standards apply to various recreational programs including Holiday Break Camps, Spring Break Camps, Kids Day Off, Teens’ Day Off, All-Day Summer Camps, and Teen Summer Camp.
• The standards cover general administration, staffing qualifications and responsibilities, operations (including staff-participant ratios of 17:1), facility safety, fire safety, and health protocols (including medication administration and illness policies).
• A key update for the 2026-2027 standards is the acceptance of a passed State or Federal issued background check in lieu of a City-run background check for prospective employees.
• The ordinance requires that parents be informed that the program is not licensed by the State and cannot be advertised as a child care facility.
• Criminal background checks are mandated for prospective employees, barring individuals with specific convictions listed in 26 Texas Administrative Code §745.661.

This is an annual adoption process, with previous ordinances approved in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The proposed ordinance will become effective immediately upon passage.