Governor Signs Demarion's Law

Governor Brad Henry signed legislation on Tuesday requiring day care providers to have liability insurance.

Demarion's Law would require all state child care facilities to maintain liability insurance of at least $200,000 for each occurrence of negligence.

The law was named after Demarion Pittman, a three-year-old boy who suffered severe brain injuries after his day care providers left him in a hot car for over an hour last summer. His medical bills have totaled nearly $2 million so far.

"I cried so many tears at the beginning of this," Edna Pittman, Demarion's mother, said. "Through those tears I realized something needed to be done."

There are some exceptions for day cares that cannot afford it or are not approved for insurance. They can keep operating as long as they notify parents that they do not have insurance.

Related story:

4/16/2008 Committee Approves Day Care Insurance Bill