A bill on child care could crack down on unlicensed providers.
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A bill on child care could crack down on unlicensed providers.

Date: February 8, 2012
By: Danielle Carter
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
The grandmother of a child who died in the care of an unlicensed child care provider testified in favor of proposed legislation.
RunTime:  0:50
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The bill known as "Sam Pratt's Law" was created in remembrance of Debbie Thrasher's grandson Sam.

Thrasher told the committee how the caregiver was never stopped from providing service.

Actuality:  THRASHER.WAV
Run Time:  00:23
Description: There was no law to keep her from babysitting. Even though there's one for licensed caregivers, and one for if it was her own child.
The legislation would crack down on unlicensed providers with pending criminal charges.

One representative spoke against the bill and said he's concerned that the mere filing of a criminal charge could push a provider out of business.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Danielle Carter.

Intro: 
A House committee heard from the grandmother of a child who died in the care of an unlicensed child care provider.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Proposed legislation would penalize unlicensed day care providers with pending criminal charges.

The bill is named "Sam Pratt's Law" after Debbie Thrasher's grandson.

Thrasher told the commitee that the child care provider received little punishment for the offense.

Actuality:  THRASH02.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: She spent one night in jail...the next day she bonded out...by Monday she was babysitting again.

While no committee members spoke against the bill, one was concerned about providers losing their businesses due to the mere filing of a criminal charge.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Danielle Carter.