State still lags in child safety

The struggle that started almost four years ago when a North Idaho mother tried to find a safe day care facility for her small children continues today.

Seeking a place for their two young children in the summer of 2003, a woman and her husband visited one child care home that reeked of marijuana. The owner, holding somebody's infant, appeared stoned to the hilt.

Infuriated, the couple called the state Department of Health and Welfare and the Panhandle Health District to report what they had encountered. They also talked to friends who shared similar horror stories.

The Hagadone Newspaper Network produced an investigative series that found Idaho is one of the nation's weakest states when it comes to licensing and inspection of child care facilities. We were stunned that virtually anybody could open their doors to the care of children, even convicted child molesters, because bottom-line basics like background checks were not required.

Since we published that award-winning series, dozens of devoted Kootenai County citizens have worked relentlessly on this issue. At the head of that line is Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d'Alene, who has led the legislative charge on behalf of stricter minimum requirements and oversight for child care providers.

Sayler's HB 163 is scheduled to go before the House Health and Welfare Committee on Feb. 28. The bill would make regulations for all three sizes of child care facilities — large, medium and small — uniform.

"My goal is just to provide a safe and healthy environment for kids and peace of mind for their parents," Sayler said. "This is basic, minimum regulations. Cities are free to adopt their own more stringent regulations if they want to."

Keys to HB 163:

? It would extend license requirements to all paid providers caring for two or more children. Baby sitters would be exempt.

? Those requirements would include criminal background checks, health and safety inspections, fire inspections, and infant CPR and first aid training.

? Some staff-to-child ratios would be established, allowing fewer adults to care for older children.

Opponents say the law would be unenforceable, and in the words of one critic, "It would take Gestapo-type enforcement to go door to door to see if it's enforced."

We don't think this has anything to do with the Gestapo — unless loving, attentive parents reporting violators are considered Gestapo-like.

We commend Rep. Sayler for his efforts behind this bipartisan bill and urge your support.