SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — House Bill 1571, which gives first responders greater access to overnight child care, was signed into law last Friday.
HB 1571 will give first responders more opportunities to go to work without having to worry about finding someone to watch their children.
State Senator Laura Murphy supported the bill and says, “Our first responders often work through the night to keep our community safe, like all parents, first responders have child care issues. I am pleased that this legislation is beginning to address access to child care for men and women who sacrifice themselves personally and physically for this work.
Under the new law, the Department of Social Services is required to establish an after-hours child care program to help first responders access child care for night shifts or at night so that they can work without worrying about the safety of their child. It also establishes an out-of-hours child care program fund to fund the program through the state treasury.
“It can be difficult for first responders to find daycare when they’re working essential night shifts,” Murphy said. “This law addresses that oversight and may even encourage people to become first responders without the fear of not having access to child care.”
HB 1571 was promulgated on Friday, May 27. It will enter into force on January 1, 2023.
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