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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Rosita Youngblood |
  
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Youngblood's proposal to improve inspections of day-care homes approved by House committee
HARRISBURG, June 18 – The state House Children and Youth Committee on Tuesday approved a measure introduced by state Rep. Rosita Youngblood, D-Phila., that would improve the state's inspection process for family day-care homes. Youngblood said the committee's action moves Pennsylvania a step closer to reforming the inspection process for these child care facilities.
The legislation (H.B. 2485), or the Family Day-Care Home Inspection Act, would require the state Department of Public Welfare to inspect family day-care homes at least once every two years. She said existing law limits the inspection process by only permitting DPW to inspect these facilities on a random sample basis, when there is a complaint issued or at the request of the day-care home.
"I am pleased that the committee endorsed this proposal to further protect our children from potentially dangerous situations," Youngblood said. "Only around 15 percent of the 4,200 registered family day-care homes are inspected each year, leaving more than two-thirds unchecked. It is important to the safety of our state's children that we improve upon the inspection requirements and oversight of family day-care facilities."
Youngblood said that current law requires family day-care centers to hold a two-year registration certificate, so it would be logical to require these facilities to be inspected at least once during that two-year period.
The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
More information about the issue is available by contacting Youngblood's constituent service office at 215-849-6426, or visiting her Web site at www.pahouse.com/youngblood.
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