Saturday, May 19, 2012

Missouri lawmakers approve further regulations for unlicensed childcare providers

Unlicensed childcare providers would be further regulated under a bill passed in the House on Friday, May 18.

The bill would prohibit individuals charged with neglect or the death of a child to provide childcare services during an ongoing case.

It would also require all unlicensed providers to disclose their licensing status to the parents or guardians of the children the facility cares for.

The bill would prohibit Children's Division workers responding to a child abuse or neglect investigation from contact before a home visit.

The measure is named after Sam Pratt, who died in 2009 while under the care of an unlicensed childcare provider. His care provider, Martha Farris, was charged with abuse of a child and involuntary manslaughter. Farris has been released on bail and continues to provide childcare services.

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