As used in this article:

(a) “Certified provider organization” means a provider organization that is certified by the Public Employment Relations Board as the representative of family childcare providers in an appropriate unit after a proceeding under Section 8434.

(b) (1) “Family childcare provider” or “provider” means a childcare 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 daycare home, as defined in Section 1596.78 of the Health and Safety Code, and who is licensed pursuant to the requirement in Section 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 Section 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 daycare home, as defined in Section 1596.78 of the Health and Safety Code, and who does not possess a license pursuant to Section 1596.80 of the Health and Safety Code shall not be considered a family childcare provider for purposes of this article. However, an individual who, separate and apart from that work or volunteer service within a family daycare home, participates in a state-funded early care and education program and provides care that is exempt from licensing requirements pursuant to Section 1596.792 of the Health and Safety Code shall be considered a family childcare provider for purposes of this article 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 childcare providers as members.

(2) Has as one of its main purposes the representation of family childcare 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 childcare 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 Section 3541 of the Government Code. The powers and duties of the board described in Section 3541.3 of the Government Code, and the respective implementing regulations, shall apply, as appropriate, to this article to the extent those procedures are not inconsistent with the procedures specified in this article. If a provision of this article 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 article, any reference in Section 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 State Department of Education, the State Department of Social Services, 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 article 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 Section 11346.1 of the Government Code.

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

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 385, Sec. 7. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2020.)