Monday Marks First Day of Bill Filing

Monday Marks First Day of Bill Filing

Date: December 3, 2007
By: Amy Becker
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: Monday marked the first day for legislators to file bills. Senate Majority leader Charlie Shields jumped on the opportunity, submitting a revised bill he sponsored last legislative session. Amy Becker has more from the state capitol.

RunTime:0:55
OutCue: SOC The previous bill proposed a mandatory five star rating system for child care facilities. The bill passed in the senate but reached a snag in the House, where members had a problem with its mandatory requirement. Shields said he decided to revise the bill to be voluntary since he feels it is a beneficial way toward quality child care.
Actuality:  CHILD2.WAV
Run Time: 00:12
Description: If we do our job right, and have the right rating system, one that everyone can understand then I think child care providers will want to participate in it.  It's a good message for them to talk about the quality of their facilities.
 If a child care facility receives state funding, they are required to particpate in the rating system.  This is still beneficial, says Shields, since the state will pay more for quality. Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker, KMOX news. __________________________________________________________________________________________

Intro:  Failure isn't an option for Senate Majority leader Charlie Shields.  After having his bill that put in place a child care rating system was defeated last legislative session, Shields decided to give it another try, with a few changes.

Amy Becker has more from the state capitol.

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Despite reaching support and ultimate passage in the senate, the bill was defeated in the House mainly because of its call for the system to be mandatory.

Shields says the new legislation makes the system voluntary except for state funded facilities who he says will benefit since the state pays more for quality.

 
Actuality:  CHILD3.WAV
Run Time: 00:05
Description: We would rather pay for high quality child care and pay a little bit extra for that than sub-standard child care.



The rating system looks at staffing ratios, staff education, quality and content of the facility, and the ability of the center to get parents involved in their children's lives.

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Amy Becker

 

[Missouri Digital News is produced by the State Government Reporting Program of the Missouri School of Journalism (home of the The Journalist's Creed) with support from the Missouri Press Association, the Missouri Broadcasters' Association, KMOX Radio in St. Louis and KSMU Radio in Springfield.
You can contact MDN at .
MDN was designed and is managed by Phill Brooks]