BRONX, N.Y. – Making sure all children are safe, Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx, 77th AD) announced the passage of her bill, Assembly Bill A.7451, which will offer greater protections for families, and impose greater restrictions on illegal day care operators.
More and more, illegal day care centers have continued to pop up in apartments and homes across the five boroughs and New York State – leaving our most vulnerable population, our children, in harm’s way. Of the nearly 600 complaints received by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) in 2012, 95 percent were reported as children being in imminent danger at the time.
Assembly Bill A.7451 will provide greater protection to families in regard to child care operations by mandating OCFS to investigate and audit current child care operations advertising their services in New York State on the Internet. This will limit the amount of illegal day care centers and encourage licensed providers to only take on children within their legal limit.
“The safety and security of our children is my number one concern,” said Assemblywoman Joyner. “There has been an increase in the number of illegal day care centers popping up in New York City and New York State, and this legislation eliminates any worry a parent may have when dropping their children off at a child care program because they will be more informed. We must ensure that the Office of Children and Family Services has the strength it needs to enforce the law and deter illegal operators from preying on families that need someone to watch over their loved ones. Hardworking New Yorkers depend on having access to affordable, quality child care. They deserve nothing less.”
New York State Senator Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn, 22nd SD) is currently sponsoring companion legislation, known as Senate Bill S.1706A.
Follow Us