INDIANAPOLIS— The Senate recently passed a bill co-authored by State Senator Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) to strengthen standards for child care services in Indiana.

“We entrust our child care providers with the safety and well-being of our children every day,” Sen. Taylor said. “This legislation will streamline and strengthen caregiver guidelines for protecting our children.” 

Senate Bill (SB) 305 would improve child care by establishing sanitation and safety standards for providers who accept Child Care Development Fund vouchers. The legislation establishes guidelines for facility and transportation safety, sanitation and bathroom hygiene, discipline policies, and infant care. SB 305 also equalizes standards and rights of due process to child care services offered through religious establishments.

For child care providers who violate health and safety requirements, the legislation outlines the necessary review procedures, including the possible loss of licensure. 

“While this bill aims to keep our children safe through a number of new measures,” said Sen. Taylor, “it is my hope that throughout the legislative process we can work on this proposal to include even more means of protection.”

Additional provisions such as child to staff ratio, child abuse reporting, and working fire detectors were offered by Senator Taylor but have not yet been amended onto the bill.

SB 305 passed unanimously out of the Health and Provider Services Committee by a vote of 8-0 and the full Senate by a vote of 50-0 before moving to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Sen. Taylor represents Senate District 33 which includes portions of Wayne, Pike, Washington and Center townships in Marion County. For more information on Sen. Taylor, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/s33.

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NOTE: A photo of Sen. Greg Taylor can be downloaded at http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/images/headshots/Taylor.jpg