Albany, NY - Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, announced today that her bill A.1382/S.6226 (Rivera) has passed both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The legislation amends Section 390-a of New York State Social Services Law to require all staff employed to conduct inspections of child day care facilities are trained to detect controlled substances during inspections.

“When we safeguard our children, we protect our future and the future of New York State. It is critical to the safety of our most vulnerable that we start to train New York State inspectors to look for controlled substances during inspections of childcare centers,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “The law must be updated to reflect the society we live in, where these facilities and other seemingly unsuspicious places are being used to hide fentanyl and other illegal and deadly drugs.”

In September 2023, more than 11 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin were found underneath the floor tiles in the playroom of a day care after the owner called 911 to report that four children in her care, all under the age of three, were unresponsive. One child was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly thereafter, and the other three children were hospitalized with acute opioid intoxication.

Just a week prior, on September 6th, inspectors made an unannounced visit to the day care to inspect the site. The inspector found the day care center to be in full compliance with all laws and regulations and no violations were found.

"Two years ago, our community was left in deep mourning after the tragic death of one-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici, who died as a result of negligent exposure to fentanyl at a childcare facility in my district,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “Our bill requiring inspectors of day care centers to be trained in the detection of controlled substances, passed both houses. I urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law to ensure children are being cared for in a safe, healthy environment."

“By training our inspectors to look for fentanyl, cocaine, or other controlled substances during inspections,” continued Paulin. “We can protect children and prevent senseless tragedies like this from happening again in the future.”

A.1382/S.6226 was sponsored in the New York State Senate by State Senator Gustavo Rivera.