HARRISBURG – A bill to protect children in state-regulated daycare facilities received final legislative approval on Monday and was sent to the Governor for enactment into law, according to state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), who supported the bill.
Senate Bill 934 was introduced in response to a tragic fire that claimed the lives of five young children in Erie last year. The bill amends the Human Services Code to require family daycare homes to have a smoke detector on each floor and in the basement, as well as a portable fire extinguisher, and to meet occupancy and licensing requirements.
“While the legislation sadly won’t bring those five young lives back, it will ensure that other children are better protected against such avoidable tragedies,” Sen. Yaw said.
Senate Bill 934 requires that as part of the Human Services Department’s inspection process, daycare center operators must provide a written affirmation stating that the center or home maintains a written emergency plan, fire drill log and posted evacuation routes.
For more state-related news and information, visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com, or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
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Rita Zielonis, Chief of Staff
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