COLUMBUS, Ohio — Policy experts and child care advocates are raising concerns about proposed Ohio legislation that would significantly expand surveillance and monitoring of publicly funded child care programs.
House Bill 649, introduced by Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township), would require child care centers to install camera systems covering entrances, exits, and areas where children are taught and supervised, excluding bathrooms and changing rooms. Centers would be required to record daily and provide footage to the state upon request. Supporters say the measure would help prevent fraud and protect children.
Critics argue the bill creates an unprecedented level of oversight without sufficient safeguards. Policy Matters Ohio warned the proposal lacks clear cybersecurity protections and could require providers to transmit and store sensitive footage using systems dependent on individual internet capacity. The group also said the cost of purchasing and maintaining surveillance equipment could strain providers already operating on thin margins.
A second measure, House Bill 647, would employ data analytics to track attendance in publicly funded programs and allow the attorney general’s office to pursue fraud cases. While state officials say stronger oversight ensures accountability, advocates contend lawmakers should prioritize affordability and expanded access rather than new monitoring systems.
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