Van Akkeren Sponsors Child Care Bill

MADISON, Wis. (WHBL) - A bill sponsored by State Representative Terry Van Akkeren (D-Sheboygan) would enhance the penalties against those convicted of crimes against children in a child care setting.

The bill, known as the “Safe Child Care Act,” provides a penalty enhancer of up to five years for licensed or certified day care providers who commit what’s deemed a serious crime against a child in their care. Those crimes include sexual assault of a child, intentionally causing bodily harm to a child and others. Representative Van Akkeren stopped short of calling it the Mary Benz law, but did reference the case of the former Random Lake Day Care Director in citing the need for the bill. Van Akkeren says parents trust a licensed facility has gone through the appropriate background checks and if that faith is violated, there should be consequences.

 

The “Safe Child Care Act” has already passed the State Assembly unanimously and is now headed to the State Senate. Benz is scheduled to be re-tried in April.