Summary of Bill S 1197

Bill Number: S 1197

Title: Requires daycare facilities to maintain evacuation and lockdown plans for children with disabilities during an emergency situation

Status: Referred to Education

Introduced: January 08, 2025

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 1197 aims to enhance the safety and preparedness of daycare facilities for children with disabilities during emergency situations. The legislation recognizes the unique challenges faced by children with disabilities and seeks to ensure that daycare providers have specific plans in place to protect these vulnerable populations during evacuations or lockdowns.

Key Provisions

• Evacuation Plans: Daycare facilities are required to develop and maintain detailed evacuation plans that specifically address the needs of children with disabilities. These plans must consider various types of disabilities and outline appropriate procedures for safe evacuation.

• Lockdown Procedures: The bill mandates that daycare centers establish lockdown procedures tailored to children with disabilities, ensuring that staff are trained to implement these procedures effectively.

• Training Requirements: Staff members at daycare facilities will be required to undergo training on the specific needs of children with disabilities in emergency situations, including how to assist them during evacuations and lockdowns.

• Regular Drills: The legislation calls for regular emergency drills that include scenarios involving children with disabilities to ensure that staff are prepared and that the plans are effective.

Who Would Be Affected

• Daycare Facilities: All licensed daycare centers will be required to comply with the new regulations, necessitating updates to their emergency preparedness protocols.

• Children with Disabilities: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are children with disabilities who attend daycare facilities, as the legislation aims to provide them with a safer environment during emergencies.

• Parents and Guardians: Families of children with disabilities will have increased assurance regarding the safety measures in place at daycare facilities.

Procedural Timeline

• January 08, 2025: Bill S 1197 was introduced and referred to the Disabilities Committee.
• May 29, 2025: The bill was discharged from the committee and committed to the Rules Committee, followed by being ordered to third reading.
• June 04, 2025: The bill passed the Senate and was delivered to the Assembly, where it was referred to the Education Committee for further consideration.

Related Bills

• S 9472: A related bill from a prior session that may address similar issues.
• S 1963: Another prior-session bill that could have implications for daycare regulations.
• A 3433: A companion bill in the Assembly that aligns with the objectives of S 1197.

This summary provides an overview of Bill S 1197, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the impact it aims to have on daycare facilities and children with disabilities. The bill represents a significant step towards improving emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations in childcare settings.