March 12, 2009
 | ANGELINI’S CHILD CARE CENTER BILL APPROVED |
Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini that calls for stricter regulations of child care centers in New Jersey was unanimously approved today by the Assembly Human Services Committee.
“Working parents today are under a lot of stress, especially financial strain,” said Angelini, R-Monmouth. “The last thing they should have to worry about is if their day care facility is being properly managed so that their children are safe. Mandating more stringent regulations for child care centers are small, but prudent steps that will ultimately make a huge difference.”
Under the bill, A-3381, child care center licenses would remain valid for a three-year period, however, facilities would be required to be inspected annually. Under current law, child care centers are required to only be inspected once every three years. If a center meets the requirements of the law, it is issued a three-year license.
The legislation would also:
• Institute a timeline for the immediate inspection of centers that have received a complaint.
• Establish a website to provide parents with online access to child care records, inspections and violation reports, and assist them in searching for local centers in their county.
• Prohibit a child care center from operating with a temporary license for more than 12 months, instead of the current 18.
“Currently, it is extremely difficult for parents to find licensing information and a history of complaints made about day care centers,” explained Angelini. “They must go to Trenton directly to obtain such reports which is extremely burdensome for working parents. This legislation will literally put such information at their fingertips. As a result, it will help protect children and make parents feel more confident and comfortable about bringing their children to child care centers.”
The bill now heads to the General Assembly for further consideration.
