It is the intent of the legislature to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the children of the state who are in out-of-home care on a regular or consistent basis. Toward that end, it is the purpose of this Part to establish statewide minimum standards for the safety and well-being of children in early learning centers, to ensure maintenance of these standards, and to regulate conditions in these centers through a program of licensing.  The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement a program of licensing for early learning centers and the state Department of Education shall administer the licensing program pursuant to such rules and regulations.

Acts 2014, No. 868, §2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.