Lead exposure: child day care facilities: family day care homes.
Furthermore, AB 2370 mandates that licensed child day care centers located in buildings constructed before January 1, 2010, must routinely test their drinking water for lead contamination and inform parents of the results. If elevated lead levels are detected, affected centers are obliged to cease using contaminated water sources immediately and provide safe drinking water to children and staff. This legislation is designed to protect young children, who are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead exposure.
Assembly Bill 2370, introduced by Assemblymember Holden, addresses lead exposure in child day care facilities in California. The bill mandates additional health and safety training for staff, specifically requiring instruction in the prevention of lead exposure as part of the licensure process for child care providers. Starting July 1, 2020, at least one director or teacher in every child day care center must undergo this specialized training, thus enhancing the health practices surrounding children in these facilities.
The sentiment surrounding AB 2370 appears to be largely positive, with widespread support for measures that enhance child safety in day care environments. Advocates of public health and child welfare view the legislation as a significant step toward reducing lead exposure risks for children, culminating in safer child care experiences. However, some concerns were raised regarding the financial implications for day care facilities in ensuring compliance with the new testing and training requirements, which could add operational burdens.
A notable point of contention during legislative discussions was the lack of provisions for state reimbursement to local agencies for the costs associated with these new mandates, particularly in light of the expanded responsibilities for testing and compliance. As stipulated in the bill, the imposition of no reimbursement is due to classification under California law as creating a new crime or infraction, which critics argue could disproportionately impact smaller businesses and local day care providers unable to absorb additional costs without assistance.