BACKGROUND CHECKS ON CAREGIVERS

Last week, Gov. Mel Carnahan signed into law a measure giving parents greater access to information about the day-care workers who care for their children. The law also covers workers who care for the elderly. The law requires day care workers to undergo background investigations so that parents will more easily be able to check out who is minding their youngsters.

The law creates the Family Care Safety Registry. It requires criminal background checks on all workers in day care centers. It also requires that a toll-free number be established by Jan. 1, 2001, to make the exchange of information easier. Parents will be able to call the number and learn whether day-care workers have a history of abuse or neglect. Background information will also be available by mail, and officials expect that it will also, eventually, be expanded to the Internet.

Missourians can applaud this sensible legislation, which will assist parents, and other seekers of care for both children and adults, in learning crucial information about those whom they hire as caregivers.