DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has unanimously passed legislation that would create state oversight on some private facilities that provide educational instruction to children but are largely unregulated.
The Democratic-controlled chamber voted 48-0 Thursday for the measure, which would establish clear regulatory authority for several state agencies to oversee such operations. They would be known as children's residential facilities.
Sen. Herman Quirmbach, an Ames Democrat, says the bill would require the facilities to complete a certification process through the state.
The bill was introduced amid an investigation into sex abuse allegations at a now-closed Iowa boarding school. Several state agencies have testified to lawmakers that current state law allows such private facilities to operate with little oversight.