The New Jersey state Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee approved legislation today that would require licensed child care centers to notify parents or guardians when a child does not show up as expected.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood), is aimed at preventing the devastating tragedies that occur when parents accidentally leave their young children in vehicles, leading to severe injury or death from heatstroke. The bill would make the notification policy a condition for obtaining or renewing a child care center license from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

Under the proposal, centers would be required to establish procedures to contact a parent or guardian if a child has an unexcused absence and determine the reason for the absence.

If a center fails to establish the policy, the department would be required to deny, revoke, or refuse to renew the center’s license or approval, according to the bill.