Establishes provisions requiring liability insurance and prevention policies of childhood sexual abuse for child care providers and modifies civil actions for childhood sexual abuse
The bill notably repeals previous regulations on child care provider liability and establishes new standards that hold providers accountable for the safety of children. By implementing these required practices, the bill is expected to create a stronger legal framework for protecting children from potential abuses within care settings. This change may lead to increased operational costs for child care providers, as they will need to secure appropriate insurance and ensure compliance with the new training and policy requirements.
Senate Bill 1092 aims to enhance the safety of children in care by mandating that child care providers obtain liability insurance and implement robust policies to prevent childhood sexual abuse. Specifically, the bill requires licensed child care providers to demonstrate liability insurance coverage of at least one million dollars per occurrence, which must also cover claims for physical injury, mental suffering, and death pertaining to children in their care. Furthermore, the bill mandates that child care facilities provide policies that outline training and procedural protocols that staff must follow to prevent incidents of sexual abuse.
While supporters of SB1092 advocate for its potential to reduce instances of childhood sexual abuse by holding providers to higher safety standards, there may be contention regarding the legislative burden it places on smaller child care facilities. Opponents may argue that the stringent insurance requirements and mandatory policies could disproportionately affect smaller providers with limited resources, potentially resulting in service shortages in certain areas. Additionally, discussions may arise about whether the state should impose liability standards that might deter individuals from starting home-based child care services due to increased financial risk.