Putting children’s safety first is the conservative solution
Earlier this year, a bill to mandate that the state regulate all daycare faciltiess was defeated. House Bill 277 aimed to close exemptions and provide additional safeguards for children throughout the state. Conservative members of the legislature, arguing against “big government” intrusion fought its passage and ultimately killed the bill. They had the support of a number of conservative activists led by groups that included the Alabama Christian Education Association (“ACEA”), the Eagle Forum, and American Character Builders (ALCAP). What exactly did the bill do? In a nutshell it required that all childcare centers, including those run by churches or those claiming to be run by churches, meet minimum safety standards with such mandatory background checks, fire safety records, health safety checks. And yet it failed. Opponents say licensing would put state regulators in churches and worried that it would ultimately infringe on the free practice of religion. The bill addressed this outright. Another argument against the bill was that licensing daycares wouldn’t prevent problems. Never in my lifetime have I heard anyone, regardless of political affiliation, claim that government intervention meant all problems would go away, but do we give up the idea of safer environments for our kids simply because we can’t make perfect environments? It’s true we can never prevent all evil or carelessness, but in this case we’re talking about children and don’t we owe it to them to try? We are talking about those who don’t have the ability to protect themselves or communicate, and it’s our job to do as much as we possibly can to ensure their safety. Having a drivers license doesn’t mean someone is going to drive safely, but it does ensure that they’ve learned the basics and have been held to some level of accountability by the state. The preamble to the Constitution states, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Promoting the general welfare has gotten a bum wrap over the years as its evolved from programs and policies to help those who need it most, to a spider web of services and money spent with no end in sight. But here’s the thing: Children, seniors and the disabled do need support and protection and this is one of those instances where conservatives opposing a regulation have failed them. Providing safety measures to deter and prevent abuse or promote safer daycares is a no brainer. Governor Kay Ivey came out in support of the regulations and the bill sponsor says she will be filing it again. Let’s hope that politics doesn’t play a part in sound public policy and that kids come first next year.
Kay Ivey says all daycare centers should be licensed after death of 5yr old
Following the tragic death of 5-year-old Kamden Johnson at an unlicensed daycare in Mobile, Ala., Governor Kay Ivey said state laws need to change and that she believes all daycare centers operating in Alabama should be licensed through the state. “I strongly favor that if you’re going to be a daycare center for children you need to be licensed by the state,“ Ivey told reporters while attending the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Convention in Orange Beach. 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. Under current law, child care centers may claim religious exemption status and avoid background checks for workers and facility inspections. Many purport Johnson’s death could have been avoided had the facility been licensed and the workers better vetted. This isn’t the first time this year the notion of licensing daycares has come up in the Yellowhammer State. In April, the state Legislature considered HB277, the Child Care Safety Act, which would have required more oversight for faith-based daycares. While the bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives, it ultimately died in the Senate. “Any child that’s in the care of a daycare center, that center needs to be licensed to ensure that we’ve got quality folks rendering quality service to protect our children,” added Ivey. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall agrees with Ivey — something needs to change. ” I think as a state we should have an interest to make sure that children are safe,” Marshall told WPMI Local 15 news. “We need to be able to establish a regulatory framework whatever that may be to make sure that that happens.”
Conservative group Eagle Forum weighs in on childcare bill
Conservative group Eagle Forum of Alabama is taking a stand for families across Alabama — opposing a bill that would require church day cares to be licensed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, which they say encroaches on religious freedom. Currently, faith-based daycares are exempt from state regulations and standards. But HB277, the Child Care Safety Act, endeavors to change that. “HB 277 removes religious liberty protections and requires state regulation of religious institutions,” said Deborah Love, executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama. “HB 277 will reduce positive options for Alabama’s families who rely on these institutions every day. “HB 277 at its core is government overreach into the most important private institutions in our state.” According to Eagle Forum, licensed exempt day care providers are not exempt from child safety laws and regulations. All child care providers in Alabama are either licensed exempt or licensed. To become licensed exempt the provider must file appropriate paperwork with DHR including immunization records. “Opposition to HB277 is about protecting children by protecting some of the best, safe, and positive child care options for children in Alabama,” said Eagle Forum Alabama. “If hard working Alabamians no longer have high quality and low cost options, it harms children. Many families will no longer have the opportunities and options they rely on for their families.” Under current law, DHR provides the following list of requirements for license exempt facilities: Notice that the child care program is an integral part of a local church Notice that intent to operate a child care program has been given to the appropriate health departments so that facilities will be inspected to meet standards Inspection by fire department at least once a year Inspection by the Alabama Department of Public Health at least twice a year Notice to the department certifying health inspection reports, immunizations, and medical forms for all staff and children. Notice to parents of staff qualifications, pupil-student ratio, discipline policies, type of curriculum, religious teachings, and type of lunch program. Parents required to sign affidavits about licensed-exempt status Church/facility must submit affidavits of notification to DHR Must follow all state and federal laws The bill’s bipartisan sponsors Tuskegee-Democrat Rep. Pebblin Warren and Jacksonville-Republican Rep. K.L. Brown, along with 18 republican and 14 democratic colleagues, think the bill is necessary saying some exempt childcare centers have violated legal standards of care. But Eagle Forum says rather than punishing everyone, the state should focus on punishing bad actors who are breaking current law. “The government has an interest in protecting safety of all Alabamians but that does not mean the government should control private religious institutions,” said Eagle Forum. “Reasonable regulations and criminal laws already punish bad actors. State agencies already retain the ability to regulate and inspect in needed situations.” Alabama is one of only seven states in the nation that has a religious exemption for childcare facilities.
