In-home day care centers could face new regulations

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2/ 8/2012: Newspaper Story - A bill in the Missouri House could crack down on unlicensed child care providers.

2/14/2012: Radio Story - Senate Committee heard testimony on a bill to further regulate child care centers.

Intro:	An emotional testimony from a victims mother urges lawmakers to fix the loopholes in unlicensed daycare facilities,under a bill called the Nathan's Law.
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Wrap: The emotional testimony came from a mother whose son died a half decade ago in an unlicensed daycare.

Shelly Blecha testified under a bill that would require family run daycares to come under state regulations, if they provide for one unrelated child.

Blecha says the childcare provider wasn't prosecuted and justice wasn't served in her sons case.

Actuality:	BLECHA.WAV
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Description: "We were told by the police department that there was nothing they can do because she was unlicensed and she was remorseful.

On the other side, they say the measure would punish people who are trying to do a good deed.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ke'yanna Johnson.

Intro:	Lawmakers in the state Capitol are looking at making some changes to home day care centers after hearing an emotional mother’s testimony on a bill called “Nathan’s Law" but a family network stands in opposition.
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Wrap: The bill would require family run daycares to come under state regulations, if they provide for one unrelated child.

Kerry Messer, President of the Missouri Family Network opposes the measure. Messer says the bill would make someone a criminal for doing a good deed.

Actuality:	MESSER.WAV
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Description: "when somebody has an emergency and an additional child gets dropped off at your home, you are now in violation of the law."

But St. Louis Representative Genise Monticello says she doesn't understand how a representative of family network could oppose the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ke'yanna Johnson

Intro:	A St. Louis Representative becomes emotional after the president of a family network opposes the "Nathan Law"
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The bill would require family run daycares to come under state regulations, if they provide for one unrelated child.

St. Louis Representative, Genise Monticello became upset after hearing Kerry Messer from the Missouri Family Network testify against the bill.

Actuality:	MONTI.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "Somebody who sits there and represents a family network. Families! It is beyond my comprehension that you are standing there testifying against this bill. I am appalled. Absolutely appalled."

Nathan's law is named after Nathan Blecha who died while at his daycare. He died from a lack of oxygen after being placed on his stomach during a nap.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Ke'yanna Johnson