[Religious Connections] No to licensing exemption for church child day care

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BaptistPlanet

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Jul 25, 2012, 12:42:11 AM7/25/12

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One Indiana child drowned in a baptismal font at a church daycare cited for 18 violations when inspected in November 2011. But, Christianity Today reports, "Indiana is one of 13 states that exempt faith-based childcare providers from licensing."

The price in lives is paid elsewhere as well:

In Missouri, 41 children died in unlicensed daycares between 2007 and 2010. Lawmakers focused on improving safety but rolled back rules for religious daycares in 2009 because of church-state concerns.

That was a mistake and should be reversed, applying appropriate regulation:

Licensing has not been an issue in other states, advocates say. For example, California requires it; yet Michael Stewart, director of the Central Coast Baptist Association, says this has not affected the religious identity of his association's daycares. "Accountability is a good thing [when] dealing with kids who can't talk or defend themselves," he said. "Safety is not a religious issue."