Every week, news stories reveal the tragic consequences of a lack of child care center monitoring and oversight. To prevent such cases in Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services (DHS) updated family child care home regulations in 2020 to allow the use of an electronic monitor, camera, or mirror to watch children when the operator needs to step away to prepare meals or take a restroom break. The change, however, only applies to family child care homes, not child care centers and does not mandate video surveillance at all times.

My legislation would require child care centers to install and maintain video camera surveillance systems. Regulations established by the department will not substitute current requirements for hands-on supervision. Instead, this policy will expand the tools available to child care center providers to facilitate the safe and supportive care of our children.

We must do everything we can to maintain and strengthen the safety standards currently in place in this Commonwealth. Please join me in supporting this legislation.