Video Security Cameras In Licensed Child Care Centers, Neurodivergent Training, Harmful Practices 

Authors: The Uvalde Foundation For Kids
Date: May 28, 2025

New legislation now being presented to lawmakers in Missouri, would require licensed public & private daycare facilities throughout Missouri to install camera systems to monitor workers interaction with children placed in their care by January 2026.

The bill is presented in response to the recent death of an nonverbal autistic child, found dead at Poppy's Playhouse Daycare. Missouri child, found dead this month, after allegedly being subdued by a staff member, including with a weighted blanket so as to get the child, according to reports, "To Sleep."

 Additional, increased cases concerning child welfare at licensed daycare facilities throughout the state since 2023, further warrant passage of "Conrads Law."

"CONRADS LAW," as presented by the foundation requires that licensed child care centers within the State of Missouri, Install and maintain video security cameras to monitor and record the infants and  toddlers in the center by January 1, 2026. Further amendments to the law will require staff at all licensed daycare facilities to receive and be required to maintain certification training in neurodivergent & special needs childcare and outlines practices forbidden by daycare facilities in the implementation of this care.

The bill also appropriates funding
annually to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for grants to centers to help them comply with this requirement.

1 Video security cameras in child care centers. Provides that all licensed child care centers in the state must have video security cameras in place to monitor and record infants and toddlers.

Subd. 1. Definitions. Defines the terms “facility” and “video security camera” for 
use in the section.

Subd. 2. Requirements for video security cameras. Provides that by January 1, 
2026, licensed child care centers must have video security cameras in infant and toddler rooms in the center and covering the outdoor spaces used by infants and 
toddlers. Lists requirements for the cameras.

Subd. 3. Retention and disposal of recordings. Requires that centers retain the recordings required under this section for 60 calendar days. Provides that centers must dispose of the recordings after 60 calendar days, unless the center has been notified by a law enforcement official that the recording is needed as part of an investigation of a suspected crime committed against a child at the center or the recording is related to an incident involving a child’s welfare that the center is required to report to the commissioner.

Further requires that the center comply with any additional requirements related to retention and disposal of the recordings issued by the commissioner.

Access and Retention Detailed 
 • Recordings must be securely stored for a minimum of 60 days.
 • Video and audio surveillance must not be paused, muted, shut off, or interrupted for any reason, including nap times, disciplinary action, or staff transitions.
 • Recordings must be made available upon request to parents or guardians, child protective services, law enforcement, or state licensing bodies.
 • Parents and guardians must be informed in writing of all surveillance policies at the time of enrollment.

Subd. 4. Dissemination of recordings. Prohibits a center from selling, sharing,
transmitting, or disseminating a recording required under this section, except as authorized.

Subd. 5. Hold harmless. Provides that the commissioner cannot take a specified licensing action against a license holder for a licensing violation that does not imminently endanger the health or safety of the children in the center if the only evidence for the violation comes from video recordings reviewed under this section. Paragraph (b) modifies this hold harmless provision to account for impending implementation of the weighted risk system.

Subd. 6. Written policy required. Requires that a center maintain a written policy on the center’s use of cameras.

Subd. 7. Notices. Provides that a center must notify all parents and legal guardians who apply for placement in or enroll a child in the center about the use of video security cameras in the center. Requires that a center post notification at each entrance accessible to visitors about the use of cameras in the facility.

Allows for video footage to be reviewed by registered and authorized family members of children enrolled in a facility. 

Subd. 8. Data practices. Provides that video footage collected or maintained by
the commissioner under this section is classified as welfare data.

2 Eligible uses of money.
Provides that grants may be used to cover the costs of video security cameras and related training that are required for compliance with the video security camera requirements established under this act.

3 Appropriation; child care provider access to technology grants. Makes an ongoing annual appropriation to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for technology grants to licensed child care centers for equipment and training needed to comply with the video security camera requirements established under this act. Provides that the appropriation cannot be used for administrative costs.

HARMFUL PRACTICES & Staff Training Addendums To Bill
 Banned Items:
 • Weighted blankets are prohibited in all daycare settings.

 Forced Nap Time:
 • Children may not be physically forced to sleep. Rest periods may be offered, but children must have access to quiet, independent activities as alternatives.

 Prohibited Restraint Tactics:
 • The use of physical restraint or isolation against nonviolent children as a method of discipline, compliance, or convenience is strictly prohibited. Physical restraint of violent or aggressive children shall strictly adhere to safe and accepted restraint practices. 

MANDATORY TRAINING AND STAFFING QUALIFICATIONS

 General Staff Training:
All daycare employees must complete certified bi-annual training in the following areas:
 • Age-appropriate developmental care, including as applicable to the daycare setting - Neurodiversity & Special needs training. CERTIFICATIONS of such training, through an outside, accepted training institute, shall be on file & accessible, upon demand.

ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

 Licensing Condition:
Adherence to Conrad’s Law is a legal condition for Missouri daycare licensing, certification; renewal of licensure and ongoing operations. Violations to the law would include, but are not limited to:
 • Fines and financial penalties
 • Mandatory training or staffing corrections
 • Temporary or permanent loss of operating license & potential criminal charges

Whistleblower Protection:
Employees who report suspected violations in good faith are protected by law from any form of retaliation, demotion, or dismissal.

 • These actions are required to prevent systemic abuse, ensure transparency, and safeguard children from extended harm.

Conrad’s Law, in honor of Conrad Ashcraft, primary objective is to further ensure the protection of every child placed in a licensed Missouri daycare setting, ultimately meant to nurture and support them.

Conrad’s Law furthermore, brings additional transparency & accountability to a struggling Missouri child care system.

Uvalde Foundation For Kids/One In Five Foundation For Kids
(CHARITY # 88-3268749)
254 206 9089
https://uvaldefoundation.wixsite.com/theuvaldefoundationf