Home-based day care providers in New Jersey would be permitted to care for up to 10 children at a time under legislation introduced in the state Legislature by Assemblymen Gary Schaer and Andrew Macurdy that aims to expand child care capacity in the state.

The bill would amend the state’s “Family Day Care Provider Registration Act” to increase the maximum number of children allowed in a registered family day care home from five to 10. Under current law, family day care providers may operate out of their homes and are protected from local zoning restrictions that would otherwise prohibit such use in residential neighborhoods.

Sponsors say the change is designed to help address ongoing child care shortages by allowing providers to serve more families without transitioning to a larger, center-based model.

“Rising childcare costs are making it increasingly unaffordable for parents to raise their children in New Jersey,” Assemblyman Gary Schaer said in a statement. “Home-based childcare gives working families access to a more affordable, high-quality alternative while supporting trusted providers in their own communities. These providers are part of NJ’s working families and [this bill] will ensure a more stable income to adjust for the rising costs of taxes and utilities, allowing them to serve more children and expand access to care for working-class families across the state.”

“Families can spend months on the waitlist for a childcare spot in New Jersey, and the cost is like having a second mortgage or rent payment,” Assemblyman Brian Macurdy said in a statement.

Under the proposal, a family day care home caring for more than five children would be required to meet all applicable health and safety code requirements, in addition to existing registration standards. The provider would also be required to have at least one additional person present at all times who has completed required training under state law.

The legislation maintains the current definition of a family day care home as a private residence providing care for at least 15 hours per week. Children who are legally related to the provider would not count toward the 10-child limit. Nor would children cared for as part of an employment agreement between the provider and an assistant or substitute, if no payment is exchanged for that care.

The bill also clarifies that sponsoring organizations, meaning agencies that contract with the state to oversee and register family day care providers, may provide training not only to providers but also to employees and volunteers assisting with child care services.

In addition, the measure directs the Commissioner of Human Services to use federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds, including funding from the federal fiscal year 2016 block grant or other available federal sources, to support the additional training required under the bill.

If enacted, the law would take effect immediately.