Codey, Cryan Bill to Require Parents to Notify Child Care Centers of Child Absences Passes Senate

TRENTON – The parent or guardian of a child enrolled in a licensed child care center would be required to notify the facility when their child will be absent under legislation that passed the Senate today. The legislation is sponsored by Senator Richard Codey and Senator Joseph Cryan.

“Often when babies and toddlers are left in hot cars, it is because a parent is tired, distracted, or overwhelmed,” said Senator Codey (D-Essex/Morris). “This is one way to help make sure these lapses in judgement aren’t fatal, especially as parents begin to return to their normal work routine due to COVID-19. Too many children have lost their lives, and we owe it to them to do all that we can to help prevent this from happening to any more families.”

Under provisions of the bill, S-559, if not notified of an absence, the operator of the child care center, or appropriate staff, would be required to immediately contact the child’s parent, or guardian, in an attempt to notify them of the absence.

“Fewer than one-in-three children today have a full-time, stay-at-home parent, so many working families and single parents have to have to rely on child care services to watch their children,” said Senator Cryan (D-Union). “It is in the best interests of the parents and the child care workers to be fully informed of the status of the children so they are protected and cared for. This bill will help keep everyone informed and maintain lines of communication that are so important.”

In 2019, 53 children died nationwide due to being left in a hot car. Two of those deaths occurred in New Jersey.

The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 39-0.