A bill tightening regulation for Virginia child care providers is moving forward in the House of Delegates.

The proposed Child Care Provider Registry would track incidents at unlicensed facilities.

Three children have died in the hands of a daycare provider in Virginia Beach in the past year and a half but the bill's sponsor, Delegate Bob Tata, says it's something needed across the entire state.

Tata says there are too many incidents reported each year, many of them at unlicensed facilities. He tells us, "We have to do something because there are too many founded incidents. 7,000 is a lot and that's just in the state."

Tata says the Department of Social Services would run a registry and any person who operates a daycare in his or her home would pay a fee to be a part of it. The money pays for employees to get a background check which parents would be able to access. Tata adds, "When a daycare provider registers, that means they have had everyone who is working in that daycare FBI checked, criminal background and statewide check, finger-printed so that everything is pretty much covered."

Tata is still looking for about $95,000 to start the program, but he is confident this proposal will soon become a reality in Virginia.

8News talked with child care providers such as Sharon Oliver who think the registry is a good idea because unlicensed centers should be held accountable for any previous criminal incidents. She tells she hopes unfounded complaints aren't included saying, "An allegation is for it but it has not been proven. It could sometimes damage or taint the reputation of the provider without given the honest chance to redeem themselves or to actually give a statement."

Full article available at WRIC 8 News.