HB 2695 states that maintaining safe sleep practices has the potential to reduce the risk of child fatalities linked to sudden unexpected infant death. The legislature finds that an essential responsibility of a child care provider is to protect the health and safety of children in the provider’s care. Clear policies on safe sleep practices can prevent child fatalities. The legislature, therefore, intends to clarify the expectations of child care providers by establishing concrete consequences for not following safe sleep practice rules.
HB 2695 requires the Department of Early Learning to provide information on safe sleep practices as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics to applicants for child care licensure. When disseminating safe sleep practice information, the department shall take into account the linguistic needs of licensees. A department licensor shall assess for safe sleep practices during all monitoring visits.
The first time a provider is found in violation of safe sleep practices a department licensor must complete a compliance agreement with the child care provider. The department licensor must advise the child care provider that failure to comply with safe sleep practices will lead to license revocation. The second time a child care provider is found in violation of safe sleep practices the department shall revoke the child care provider’s license.
As amended:
Requires the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to provide information on safe sleep practices as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics to applicants for child care licensure.
Directs the DEL licensor to assess for safe sleep practices during all monitoring visits.
Specifies that on the first safe sleep practice rule infraction the licensor must complete a compliance agreement with the child care provider.
Requires the DEL to revoke the child care providers license the second time a child care provider is found in violation of safe sleep practices.
Adds the Graham Hazzard Act as the short title.
