Legislation filed by state Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D- Parkland) to toughen screening requirements for certain professionals working with kids cleared the House Human Services Subcommittee Tuesday, her office said.
The bill, HB 531, was unanimously passed out of the committee. If passed by both chambers of the legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the legislation would expand background screening requirements for staffers working in recreational enrichment programs for dance, gymnastics, martial arts, and similar programs.
HB 531 would also create a public awareness campaign to educate businesses about Florida’s background screening requirements for summer camps and recreational programs.
“We must do everything we can to protect the children in our communities,” said Hunschofsky. “Expanding background checks into these programs is a step towards ensuring our children’s safety and will help close any gaps that bad actors could take advantage of.”
Recreation enrichment programs, which are treated differently from child care facilities under state law, do not require state licensure. But they must conduct certain background screening of their staffers – safeguards some have criticized as too lax.
The proposed law would not apply to organizations licensed to provide child care, which are more tightly regulated.
Under the legislation, the state would also enforce compliance with potential punishments, including closure and criminal charges.
The bill’s prospects for passage are unclear in the Republican-controlled legislature.
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