Date: February 11, 2003
To: Board of Supervisors
Subject: Support of AB 72 (Bates) - Child Care Providers

Summary:
In 1998, following the violent shaking death of 13 month-old Oliver Smith by his child care provider, this Board initiated a new State law to increase awareness of safety and quality of child care facilities for San Diego County parents. Parents need peace of mind that when they drop their children off at child care they do so with the full knowledge of the provider's history of care. In 1999, the State of California adopted Oliver's Law. The law requires every child care resource and referral program to advise anyone requesting a child care referral of their rights to obtain the licensing information that is required to be maintained at the daycare facility. It also provides parents with access to any public files pertaining to the facility that are maintained by the State Department of Social Services. This was done to provide parents with the information needed to make more informed decisions on child care placement.

Although well intended, the existing law falls short by not requiring the removal of child care providers with substantiated complaints from the referral agency's list. It also does not require that parents be notified of those facilities with substantiated complaints. AB 72-Child Care Providers, introduced by Assembly Member Patricia Bates, seeks to correct these oversights, giving families additional information when choosing a child care center.

Recommendation
Supervisor Jacob:

1. Adopt a position of Support of AB 72 - Child Care Providers.
   
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to convey our support to the County's Legislative Delegation and Sacramento Representatives.

Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact related to this request.

Background:
In 1998, following the violent shaking death of 13 month-old Oliver Smith by his child care provider, this Board initiated a new State law to increase awareness of safety and quality of child care facilities for San Diego County parents. Parents need peace of mind that when they drop their children off at child care they do so with the full knowledge of the provider's history of care. In 1999, the State of California adopted Oliver's Law. The law requires every child care resource and referral program to advise anyone requesting a child care referral of their rights to obtain the licensing information that is required to be maintained at the daycare facility. It also provides parents with access to any public files pertaining to the facility that are maintained by the State Department of Social Services. This was done to provide parents with the information needed to make more informed decisions on child care placement.

Although well intended, the existing law falls short by not requiring the removal of child care providers with substantiated complaints from the referral agency's list. It also does not require that parents be notified of those facilities with substantiated complaints. AB 72-Child Care Providers, introduced by Assembly Member Patricia Bates, seeks to correct these oversights, giving families additional information when choosing a child care center.

Children are our most valuable assets and this Board of Supervisors has repeatedly taken action to protect children. While there are never any guarantees, today's action takes one more step to help parents protect their children. I urge your support.

Respectfully Submitted,

DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District