Child-care license restriction gets initial Senate approval

A bill that would restrict who can obtain a license to operate a child-care facility achieved initial support of the Senate on Monday.

HB254 would prohibit anyone from attaining a license if he or she resides at the premises where child care is provided and lives with someone who has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor.

"I think overall this will help tighten up the licensing of child care in our state," said Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, the Senate sponsor of the measure.

The bill was spawned after an audit of child-care licensing showed that a spouse of a child-care center director beat a child who was attending the center.

The bill will be voted on once more in the Senate to determine whether or not it gains the ultimate approval of the Legislature.