By Ms. Malia of Boston, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 122) of Elizabeth A. Malia for legislation to provide adequate protection and quality care for children in licensed facilities of the Office of Child Care Services.  Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Elizabeth A. Malia

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act creating assignment levels in the Department of Early Education and Care.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Section 10 of Chapter 28A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following sentence:-

The commissioner shall ensure that no licensor shall have assignment levels of day care centers or family day care homes in excess of the standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and shall request the same in the Office's budget request to the General Court. Reasonable assignment levels shall be established for residential and placement licensors and investigators in order to provide adequate protection and quality care for children in licensed facilities. The commissioner's annual budget request to the General Court shall include sufficient funding to meet said assignment levels.