Wisconsin lawmakers approve safety alarms for day-care vehicles weeks after baby dies in van

Wis. lawmakers approve day-care vehicle alarms

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin legislators have voted to require day-care providers to install alarm systems in their vehicles to make sure drivers don’t leave children behind.

The state Senate and Assembly approved the bill Tuesday. Support for the change grew with this month’s hyperthermia death of a 4-month-old boy who had been left in day-care van in Milwaukee for hours.

Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to sign the measure. It calls for day-care providers or their transportation contractors to outfit their vehicles with devices that will remind drivers to make sure all children exit. Failing to do so would be a misdemeanor.

At least 27 children nationwide have died after being left in day-care vans since 1994, according to KidsandCars.org, a national child-safety group.