Church Based Day Care Centers May Be Regulated

A bill to regulate daycare centers in Alabama could spark a serious political fight. Lawmakers will debate a proposal to require all day cares to be regulated by the state. That idea would end a longstanding exemption for faith-based facilities. The bill is expected to face pushback from lawmakers who want to keep the exemption open for churches. Supporters of the bill say the loophole leaves children vulnerable to abuse and neglect. The group VOICES for Alabama's Children says the state is one of seven that broadly exempt faith-based day cares from regulation.