In an effort to provide more efficient oversight of day care centers throughout the state and further protect children, legislation introduced by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. was recently signed into law requiring the fire and police departments and the state police to be notified of the locations of licensed or registered day care facilities in their communities.

Citing a recent Newsday series with findings of problems in the state's oversight of day care centers on Long Island and throughout the state, Fuschillo stated that this new law will further protect children who utilize the more than 25,000 licensed or registered day care centers and programs throughout the state. "With more than 50 percent of mothers returning to work before their child reaches one year of age, there must be more aggressive oversight of the centers and programs caring for children," said Fuschillo, who is a member of the Senate children and families committee. "Requiring the state to notify fire and police departments of a day care center in the community will better prepare emergency personnel to take necessary precautions enabling them to give immediate care if required."

Furthermore, the new law will require the Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services to conduct a study on the best method of compiling a central record of information relating to the safe operation of licensed or registered day care centers in the state. According to Fuschillo, this record would include police reports, health and safety information, complaints and any information held by a state or local agency which could relate to the safer operation of the center.

"We are delighted that Senator Fuschillo's legislation is now law," said Sheila Cohen of the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. "It protects children and day care programs by ensuring that in the case of emergency local police and fire departments have pervious knowledge that children are likely to be present. This is a long overdue proposal that will provide the children in care with a greatly improved environment of safety.

According to Fuschillo, different state agencies are already collecting information critical to day care safety. This new law, which takes effect immediately, will make that information available to those who need it most.