Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall that would require childcare centers to notify parents when a child is absent without explanation has been approved by the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee, moving the bill one step closer to becoming law.

The bill would require childcare centers, as a condition of receiving or renewing their license from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), to have a clear procedure for contacting parents or guardians if a child does not show up and the absence has not been reported. The goal is to make sure families are quickly alerted when a child who is expected at daycare never arrives.

Under the legislation, the state would not issue or renew a license for any childcare center that does not put these notification procedures in place. If a center fails to follow the requirement, DCF could deny, revoke, or refuse to renew its license.

Assemblyman Schnall said the measure is meant to address tragic situations in which children have been forgotten in vehicles or otherwise unaccounted for when parents believed they had been dropped off at daycare.

“Sadly, we’ve seen too many heartbreaking tragedies and far too many close calls when a child never made it into daycare and no one realized it right away,” said Schnall. “This bill creates a simple safeguard. If a child doesn’t show up, parents will be notified quickly so they can make sure their child is safe. Even one tragedy prevented would make this effort worthwhile.”

The bill will now move forward in the legislative process for consideration by the full Assembly.