The Senate considered a bill that would close unlicensed day care centers.

See Related Stories

2/ 8/2012: Newspaper Story - A bill in the Missouri House could crack down on unlicensed child care providers.

Intro:	Supporters of a bill that would regulate unlicensed day care providers told a Senate committee Tuesday that the bill would protect Missouri's children.
RunTime:	0:39
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Bill sponsor St. Charles Republican Senator Scott Rupp says his bill would empower parents to have more information about day care providers.

He says it would protect children from harm and even potential death caused by unlicensed day care providers.

On behalf of Child Care Aware, Missouri Lobbyist Jeremy LaFaver says this bill can protect children in Missouri.

Actuality:	CCARE.WAV
Run Time:	00:08
Description: "There is a very real problem about dead children in Missouri that we can fix, or start to make a dent on this issue if we go ahead and pass this."

There was no opposition to the bill.

The bill will soon be voted on by the Committee, and will move to the Senate floor if passed.

Reporting from the Capitol, I’m Ruohan Xu.

Intro:	One Missouri citizen says a bill to standardize day care providers would prevent unlicensed providers to hurt children.
RunTime:	0:42
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Iron County citizen Debbie Thrasher spoke in support of a bill to standardize day care providers Tuesday at the Senate Health committee hearing.

She says her grandson died at an in-home daycare provider, but the provider was babysitting again after spending one night in jail.

Actuality:	THRAS-2.WAV
Run Time:	00:07
Description: “Anyway she was arrested and policy asked her not to watch the kids, she went and got a lawyer, [and] found out there was no law to prevent her.”

Over the last 55 months, 54 children have died in day care centers in Missouri. Bill sponsor Republican Senate Scott Rupp says the law will address this problem and it has a good chance to pass.

There was no opposition to the bill.

The Senate Committee did not vote on the bill.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Ruohan Xu.

Intro:	Senate Committee discussed a bill that would regulate day care centers and day care providers.
RunTime:	0:34
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The Senate Health committee heard testimony on the bill Tuesday that would enact laws against unlicensed child care providers.

Bill sponsor St. Charles Republican Senator Scott Rupp says the bill will prevent anyone who has pending criminal charges to continue babysitting children.

Actuality:	RUPP1.WAV
Run Time:	00:07
Description: "It will be similar as if you have a teacher that was under investigation for abusing a child, you wouldn’t have them still teaching the kids."

Supporters say the bill would protect children in Missouri.

There was no opposition to the bill.

The committee took no action on the bill Tuesday.

Reporting from the Capitol, I'm Ruohan Xu.