The Alabama Senate on Thursday morning gave final approval to the ‘Child Care Safety Act,’ which endeavors to give oversight to child care centers statewide for the protection and benefit of the children.
Sponsored by Tuskegee-Democrat state Rep. Pebblin Warren, HB76 passed by a vote of 22-4.
“Today is a great day for the children of Alabama,” said Warren. “This legislation will go a long way to ensuring a safer environment for children across the state who attend these facilities.I greatly appreciate all the support from my colleagues and look forward to the Governor signing this important legislation.”
Under current law, Alabama is only one of seven states that still allows daycare centers to operate without regulation if they are a part of a church or ministry. Nearly half of the 1,914 day cares statewide claim the religious exemption, allowing them avoid background checks for workers and facility inspection
The bill has already won the approval of the State House, and now heads to Gov. Kay Ivey‘s desk for final consideration.
Ivey expressed her support of the legislation in August following the tragic death of a five year old at an unlicensed daycare center in Mobile, Ala., and is expected to sign the bill into law.