THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

20

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to child care.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 346-152.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§346‑152.7[]]  Safe sleep policy.  (a)  All child care facilities[, which include family child care homes, group child care centers, and group child care homes, as those terms are defined in section 346-151, and infant and toddler child care centers,] that are registered or licensed by the department to provide care for children less than one year of age shall implement and maintain a written safe sleep policy in accordance with any rules that may be adopted by the department to implement the provisions of this section.  The purpose of the safe sleep policy shall be to maintain a safe sleep environment that prevents the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome and sudden unexpected infant deaths in children less than one year of age.

     (b)  Each safe sleep policy shall require operators of each respective child care facility to place a child one year of age or younger on the child's back for sleeping, unless the operator of the respective child care facility obtains a written waiver of this requirement from a health care professional, as defined in rules adopted by the department.

     (c)  The operator of the child care facility shall discuss the safe sleep policy with the child's parent or legal guardian before the child is enrolled in the child care facility.  The child's parent or legal guardian shall sign a statement attesting that the parent or legal guardian received a copy of the safe sleep policy and that the policy was discussed with the parent or legal guardian before the child's enrollment.

     (d)  The operator and all employees of an operator of a child care facility shall complete annual or biennial training in safe sleep practices.  The department shall conduct the training.

     (e)  Every child care facility shall promptly report to the department the death of a child one year of age or younger that occurs while in the facility's care.

     [(b)] (f)  As used in this section:

     "Child care facilities" means family child care homes, group child care centers, and group child care homes, as those terms are defined in section 346-151, and infant and toddler child care centers.

     "Sudden infant death syndrome" means the sudden death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained after a thorough investigation has been conducted, including a complete autopsy, an examination of the death scene, and a review of the clinical history.

     "Sudden unexpected infant death" means the sudden and unexpected death of an infant less than one year of age in which the manner and cause of death are not immediately obvious prior to investigation.  Causes of sudden unexpected infant death include but are not limited to metabolic disorders, hypothermia or hyperthermia, neglect or homicide, poisoning, and accidental suffocation."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Safe Sleep Policy; Child Care Facilities; Department of Human Services

 

Description:

Requires operators of child care facilities, including family child care homes, group child care centers, group child care homes, and infant and toddler child care centers that care for children one year of age or younger to implement and maintain safe sleep policies to prevent sudden unexpected infant deaths and sudden infant death syndrome in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Human Services.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.