A bill for an act relating to professional liability insurance and child care centers employing unsupervised child care workers under eighteen years of age.
Impact
The bill aims to bolster accountability and safety within the child care sector by ensuring that centers employing younger staff are adequately insured. This move potentially reduces risks for both operators and families relying on these services. By requiring liability insurance, the state intends to raise the standard for care provided to children, ensuring that facilities maintain adequate coverage for any incidents that might occur, thereby protecting vulnerable children.
Summary
House File 109 proposes a requirement for child care centers in Iowa that employ individuals under the age of eighteen who provide unsupervised child care to school-age children. Specifically, the bill mandates that such child care centers must document that they possess professional liability insurance coverage for these young employees. The intent behind HF109 is to enhance protections for both the child care providers and the children under their supervision, addressing potential liabilities that may arise from negligence or accidents occurring during unsupervised care.
Contention
While the bill seeks to improve safety, it may also spark debate regarding the feasibility and financial implications of this requirement for smaller child care providers. Opponents could argue that requiring liability insurance might impose additional financial burdens on those centers, potentially leading to increased costs for parents seeking child care services. Furthermore, there may be concerns about the general increase in regulatory burdens impacting the accessibility and availability of child care options in local communities.
A bill for an act relating to professional liability insurance and child care centers employing unsupervised child care workers under eighteen years of age.
A bill for an act relating to child care center staff requirements for providing unsupervised child care to children up to five years of age.(See HF 2305.)
A bill for an act relating to economic development including child care, grants and tax credits relating to child care, and state child care assistance, and including applicability provisions.
A bill for an act relating to state child care assistance eligibility requirements and child care provider reimbursement rates. (Formerly HSB 233.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.