MS HB68

Requires the State Department of Health to adopt regulations mandating written emergency preparedness plans for child care facilities and family child care homes covering evacuation, sheltering in place, and other protective measures for fires, natural disasters, or other threatening situations.

Emergency preparedness plans must include designated relocation sites and evacuation routes, procedures for notifying parents or guardians of relocations, and procedures addressing the needs of individual children including those with special needs.

Plans must include procedures for reassigning staff duties during emergencies and for communicating with local emergency management officials or other appropriate state and local authorities.

Requires child care facilities and family child care homes to train staff and ensure they are familiar with the emergency preparedness plan.

Takes effect July 1, 2012.