COLUMBUS, OH—Legislation to ensure greater safety for children cared for outside of their homes was introduced Sept. 25 at a press conference at the State House in Columbus by State Senator Steve Stivers (R-Columbus) and State Representative Jon Peterson (R-Delaware). They are sponsoring legislation that will require licensing of anyone using his or her home to care for three or more unrelated children for pay.

Ohio is one of only five states that does not require this level of licensing. Ohio law currently requires only those who care for seven or more children to be licensed.

“This new legislation will provide many important benefits,” says Elaine Ward, chief operating officer of 4C for Children. “The biggest benefit is that it will help keep young children safe by requiring basic health and safety standards, criminal background checks and training.” 4C for Children is the child care resource and referral agency for 23 counties in Southwest Ohio, the Miami Valley and Northern Kentucky.

“Most parents assume that these basic safety features are already in place,” says Ward, based on a survey done for the Child Care Home Business Work Group, a statewide group formed four years ago to make recommendations to protect the health and safety of children in care and to improve the quality of child care.

“This legislation is greatly needed,” says Ward, who has been a member of this statewide group since its inception in 2003 and who has worked at 4C for 20 years,  “People providing child care as a business need to meet basic standards and have basic training in the care of children. This legislation will truly make a difference in the lives of children in Ohio.”

“In Ohio a person cannot run a dog kennel without a license but can care for up to six unrelated children for money without having to notify anyone,” points out Diane Bennett, executive director of Action for Children, the Columbus-area child care resource and referral agency that has led this licensure effort.

Proponents of this new licensing effort expect that, with strong bipartisan support, these bills will move forward in October.

Who will be affected if the new legislation passes:

• All home–based child care business caring for three or more unrelated children.
• All adults (18 and older) living on the premises where such a business is located. (They will now have to undergo criminal background checks.)
• All child care consumers who will have greater assurance that providers meet minimum standards for health and safety.

Who will not be affected:

• Family members caring for related children.
• Those caring for fewer than three unrelated children.
• Those who do not accept payment.
• Babysitters, nannies or au pairs coming to a child’s home.
• Those providing care for less than 10 hours per week for less than four weeks per year.

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For an interview with Elaine Ward or another expert in child care licensing in the State of Ohio,
contact Karen Hurley at 513-758-1201.