Mississippi House Bill HB128

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Child care facilities, licensed; require to purchase and maintain a certain minimum amount of liability insurance.

Impact

If enacted, this legislation will directly impact all child care facilities in Mississippi, requiring them to comply with the new liability insurance requirements. The measure not only bolsters insurance regulations but potentially ensures that facilities that cannot meet these requirements may lose their licenses. As a result, this will likely lead to a raise in operational costs for child care centers, which could translate into increased fees for services provided to parents. Thus, while aiming to protect children and their families, it may also affect the accessibility of child care for lower-income families.

Summary

House Bill 128 proposes amendments to Section 43-20-8 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, mandating that all licensed child care facilities maintain a minimum liability insurance coverage of one million dollars. This requirement aims to enhance the financial security of child care providers and protect against potential liabilities arising from the operation of such facilities. The bill seeks to establish standards that ensure children are cared for in safe environments, thereby promoting public trust in licensed child care services.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the implementation of this bill. Opponents may argue that imposing such financial requirements could disproportionately affect smaller or independently owned child care providers. This could result in fewer available spaces for child care in certain communities, especially those already struggling to afford child care costs. Likewise, the funding for the enhanced regulations and the ability of smaller facilities to secure adequate insurance coverage may be challenged, raising concerns over the unintended consequences of such a requirement.