A study of the legal and regulatory barriers to the expansion of family day care in New York State was made. Research for the study consisted of a two-part survey of members of the New York State Child Care Coordinating Council and the New York City Family Day Care Task Force; interviews with public officials, child care advocates, and child care experts; and an intensive review of state laws and regulations pertaining to family day care. The following legal barriers were identified and are the focus of this report: a fragmented licensing system, multiple agency regulation, attempted regulation by municipalities through exclusionary zoning, and widespread provider noncompliance and lack of enforcement of the licensing law. The problem of obtaining liability insurance for family day care providers was also identified as a major practical barrier to the expansion of licensed family day care. Chapter I describes the regulatory problems identified in the survey. Chapter II analyzes the legal and regulatory framework that created and perpetuates the problems. Chapter III analyzes the problem of municipal zoning and family day care. The final chapter offers specific recommendations for change. (RH)