(a)  CCAP family childcare providers may, in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 40-6.6-9, choose a provider organization to be their provider representative and to negotiate with the director, or his or her designee, over the terms and conditions of CCAP family childcare providers’ participation in CCAP, including, but not limited to: (1) Expanding training and professional development opportunities; (2) Improving the recruitment and retention of qualified CCAP family childcare providers; (3) Reimbursement rates and other economic matters; (4) Benefits; (5) Payment procedures; and (6) A grievance-resolution process.

(b)  Notwithstanding the above, all matters within the scope of the department of children, youth and families (DCYF) childcare-licensing regulations and the DCYF’s regulatory authority over childcare licensing shall be excluded from and not subject to negotiations and/or the collective bargaining process as recognized in this section. DCYF’s authority to initiate licensing action pertaining to family childcare providers shall be exclusively governed by provisions in § 42-72.1-6 and chapter 35 of Title 42.

(c)  Notwithstanding the above, CCAP family childcare providers must first be qualified as CCAP family childcare providers by the department of human services and must operate in conformance with the relevant sections of chapter 12 of Title 42 and regulations promulgated by the department.

(d)  The director shall work in consultation with the secretary of the executive office of health and human services, as well as the director of the department of human services, regarding the terms and conditions of CCAP family childcare providers’ participation in CCAP including, but not limited to, the terms and conditions in subsection (a).