As used in this chapter:

(a) “Certified provider organization” means a provider organization that is certified by the Public Employment Relations Board as the representative of family child care providers in an appropriate unit after a proceeding under Section 10424.

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(b) (1) “Family child care provider” or “provider” means a child care provider who participates in a state-funded early care and education program as specified in subdivision (f) and is either of the following:

(A) An individual who operates a family child care home, as defined in § 1596.78 of the Health and Safety Code, and who is licensed pursuant to the requirement in § 1596.80 of the Health and Safety Code.

(B) An individual who provides early care and education in their own home or in the home of the child receiving care and is exempt from licensing requirements pursuant to § 1596.792 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) An assistant-provider, a volunteer, or any other individual who works or volunteers for a family child care home, as defined in § 1596.78 of the Health and Safety Code, and who does not possess a license pursuant to § 1596.80 of the Health and Safety Code shall not be considered a family child care provider for purposes of this chapter. However, an individual who, separate and apart from that work or volunteer service within a family child care home, participates in a state-funded early care and education program and provides care that is exempt from licensing requirements pursuant to § 1596.792 of the Health and Safety Code shall be considered a family child care provider for purposes of this chapter in their capacity as the provider of this separate, license-exempt care.

(c) “Mediation” means an effort by an impartial third party to assist in reconciling a dispute regarding matters within the scope of representation between representatives of the Governor and the certified provider organization through interpretation, suggestion, and advice.

(d) “Provider organization” means an organization that has all of the following characteristics:

(1) Includes family child care providers as members.

(2) Has as one of its main purposes the representation of family child care providers in their relations with public or private entities in California concerning the terms of their participation in state-funded early care and education programs.

(3) Is not an entity that contracts with the state or a county to administer or process payments for a state-funded early care and education program.

(4) Its organizational bylaws or other internal governing documents give family child care providers the right to be members of the organization and to participate in the democratic control of the organization.

(e) “Public Employment Relations Board” or “board” means the Public Employment Relations Board established pursuant to § 3541 of the Government Code. The powers and duties of the board described in § 3541.3 of the Government Code, and the respective implementing regulations, shall apply, as appropriate, to this chapter to the extent those procedures are not inconsistent with the procedures specified in this chapter. If a provision of this chapter is the same or substantially the same as that contained in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500), Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section 3512), or Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code, it shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the regulations and judicial interpretations of the provision in those statutes. For exclusive purposes of this chapter, any reference in § 3541.3 of the Government Code to “employee” or “employees” shall be deemed to refer to a “provider” as defined in subdivision (b), any references to “employee organizations” shall be deemed to refer to “provider organizations” as defined in subdivision (d), any references to “exclusive representative” shall be deemed to refer to “certified provider organization” as defined in subdivision (a), and any references to “employer” shall be deemed to refer solely to the department, any other agency, department, contractor, subcontractor, or any political subdivision of the state administering a state-funded early care and education program. The board may also adopt, amend, or repeal all rules and regulations necessary to carry out this chapter as emergency regulations in accordance with the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The adoption, amendment, or repeal of regulations pursuant to this subdivision is conclusively presumed to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or general welfare within the meaning of § 11346.1 of the Government Code.

(f) “State-funded early care and education program” means a program administered by the department, another department or agency, or a political subdivision of the state, including programs established subsequent to the enactment of this chapter, to subsidize early learning and care for children, but does not include the public education system.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 116, Sec. 260. (AB 131) Effective July 23, 2021.)