New York City is moving to streamline background checks for new providers as part of its plan to offer 2,000 free childcare seats by September. The City Council held an oversight hearing and heard two proposals to improve the process. The first bill would require the health department to no longer mandate a background check for prospective childcare providers, employees, or volunteers who have already had one in the past five years and have been employed by a childcare provider for over 180 consecutive days. The second bill would allow the department to notify parents and others sooner about childcare centers that close due to health hazards. The health department has also been criticized for failing to process background checks in a timely manner.