Kansas Senate Approves Day Care Reguation Bill

The Kansas Senate has approved legislation that would require inspections of all home day cares in the state.

The 26-13 vote Wednesday sends the bill to the House.

The measure would do away with a system for “registered” home day cares and instead require that all day cares in the state be licensed.

The bill would subject licensed day cares to inspections that would cost providers $10.

The legislation was inspired by the death of 13-month-old Lexie Engelman, who suffered fatal injuries on her third day at a Johnson County home day care in 2004. Her parents have pushed for reform.

One national group ranks Kansas near the bottom in the nation for its child care oversight and regulation.