REDWOOD CITY—Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (San Francisco/San Mateo) and San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill today released results of a San Mateo audit that found registered sex offenders at a child care and foster care facility in the county and announced plans to improve state law and local practices. The review, requested by Supervisor Hill, continues efforts by Assemblywoman Ma to better regulate these social services.
"When working moms drop off their kids, they shouldn´t have to worry about their children´s safety," said Assemblywoman Ma. "When the state auditor discovered sex offenders at child care facilities and foster care homes, the state finally acted. That´s too little, too late. That´s why experienced local leadership is so needed, and I´m pleased that Supervisor Hill and San Mateo County have stepped up to protect our youngest children."
The audit discovered a sex offender living at a foster care home in East Palo Alto. Even though the offender registered with local police, no report was made to county officials. The other offender lived at a child care facility, but because the home was run by a close relative, no license was needed.
"The results of San Mateo County´s work are important: our kids are safe today, but state laws need a lot of improvement," said Supervisor Hill. "Local social services officials couldn´t access California´s best information about sex offenders, local and state agencies aren´t talking to each other, and families have no way to know whether unlicensed homes are safe for kids. Real change is needed in Sacramento."
Assemblywoman Ma and Supervisor Hill announced new proposals to protect our families. Ma unveiled a new state law requiring the Attorney General to share all information about sex offenders with licensing agencies; currently, this is limited to only law enforcement. Supervisor Hill announced a groundbreaking countywide task force of local law enforcement and county agencies to ensure our kids´ safety.
"It´s unacceptable for the state to tell local governments they can´t access information that could help prevent the most serious crimes," said Assemblywoman Ma. "Next week, I will propose new state legislation that makes sure Megan´s Law information goes to those who need it most: officials charged with regulating children´s care programs."
Supervisor Hill announced a plan to link local law enforcement with county agencies. As a longtime leader in the childhood development and child safety areas, Supervisor Hill helped form the Fatherhood Collaborative and sponsors the annual Dads Count breakfast, which encourages fathers to connect more with children.
"We must ensure that local law enforcement and the counties communicate," added Supervisor Hill. "We will convene a countywide task force to make sure these events never happen again."
"When working moms drop off their kids, they shouldn´t have to worry about their children´s safety," said Assemblywoman Ma. "When the state auditor discovered sex offenders at child care facilities and foster care homes, the state finally acted. That´s too little, too late. That´s why experienced local leadership is so needed, and I´m pleased that Supervisor Hill and San Mateo County have stepped up to protect our youngest children."
The audit discovered a sex offender living at a foster care home in East Palo Alto. Even though the offender registered with local police, no report was made to county officials. The other offender lived at a child care facility, but because the home was run by a close relative, no license was needed.
"The results of San Mateo County´s work are important: our kids are safe today, but state laws need a lot of improvement," said Supervisor Hill. "Local social services officials couldn´t access California´s best information about sex offenders, local and state agencies aren´t talking to each other, and families have no way to know whether unlicensed homes are safe for kids. Real change is needed in Sacramento."
Assemblywoman Ma and Supervisor Hill announced new proposals to protect our families. Ma unveiled a new state law requiring the Attorney General to share all information about sex offenders with licensing agencies; currently, this is limited to only law enforcement. Supervisor Hill announced a groundbreaking countywide task force of local law enforcement and county agencies to ensure our kids´ safety.
"It´s unacceptable for the state to tell local governments they can´t access information that could help prevent the most serious crimes," said Assemblywoman Ma. "Next week, I will propose new state legislation that makes sure Megan´s Law information goes to those who need it most: officials charged with regulating children´s care programs."
Supervisor Hill announced a plan to link local law enforcement with county agencies. As a longtime leader in the childhood development and child safety areas, Supervisor Hill helped form the Fatherhood Collaborative and sponsors the annual Dads Count breakfast, which encourages fathers to connect more with children.
"We must ensure that local law enforcement and the counties communicate," added Supervisor Hill. "We will convene a countywide task force to make sure these events never happen again."
