BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – A plea for safety standards at childcare facilities across Texas is growing at the state Capitol.
The families of Alexia Rosales and Mkaya Amrani submitted a proposal to State Representative Ray Lopez at the beginning of the month calling for protection requirements at childcare centers in Bexar County.
Rosales, a teacher, and Amrani, a one-year-old student, died when a car crashed into Excelled Montessori Plus near Boerne on Dec. 19. Now, weeks later, Rep. Lopez is trying to take this proposal statewide.
“There’s nothing we can do to go back,” Rep. Lopez said. “But, we can certainly look forward, and we can potentially save some lives.”
The proposal, called the “Amrani-Rosales Safety Ordinance,” starts with five key provisions that would affect all childcare centers in Bexar County:
- Applicability: This means the ordinance would be applied to all licensed childcare centers in Bexar County, including any new construction or major renovations of existing facilities.
- Vehicle Impact Protection Measures: All childcare centers would install physical barriers, such as bollards, concrete planters, or protective structures, to prevent future accidents like the Montessori crash. Additionally, the barriers must comply with certain standards.
- Placement and design: The mentioned barriers must be strategically placed to protect playgrounds, entrances, exits and areas where children and staff likely gather. Additionally, the barrier designs should consider accessibility, compatibility and aesthetics with existing infrastructure.
- Permitting and compliance: All centers must submit plans showing compliance with the proposed ordinance, and existing centers undergoing renovations must comply.
- Enforcement and penalties: If passed, the ordinance will designate an enforcement authority, such as the county’s building and safety department. If noncompliance occurs, centers may face penalties or fines or have their operating license suspended.
They said the changes would prevent similar incidents, provide reassurance to parents and guardians that their child’s safety was a priority, and it would cost less to install barriers than to lose a potential life.
However, Rep. Lopez wants to take these efforts statewide.
“We felt that going to the entire state would be the most pragmatic thing to do,” Rep. Lopez said.
“How feasible do you think that this is?” KSAT reporter Avery Everett asked.
“I’m optimistic,” he responded.
Rep. Lopez said he’s met with Texas Health and Human Services and the Texas Workforce Commission. He said he’s trying to mitigate the potential costs for childcare facilities.
“Our intent is to make sure that they’re given some level of opportunity to apply for funds to be able to meet these safety standards,” Rep. Lopez said.
The representative is looking to file a bill on these protections in the next few weeks.
