Ohio Republicans Split on Child Care Oversight as Camera Mandate Clashes With HB 647

Overview

• Reps. Josh Williams and D.J. Swearingen introduced a bill requiring continuous cameras in general areas, 60-day retention, and live access for the Department of Children and Youth to conduct audits and safety checks.
• The camera bill would allow public funding to be suspended upon credible suspicion of waste, fraud, or abuse and expands investigative authority to state watchdogs without funding assistance for providers' equipment costs.
• Rep. Phil Plummer’s HB 647, backed by DCY leadership, seeks $5 million for data system upgrades, added attorney general oversight, and targeted tools to pause payments rather than blanket surveillance.
• DCY reports more than 60 tips in the past two weeks and inspections at 50 facilities with findings pending, after 10,000 unannounced visits last year resulted in 38 closures.
• State officials confirmed Ohio’s federal child care dollars were cleared this week as Gov. Mike DeWine highlights attendance-based payments with PIN or QR verification, while Democrats press affordability concerns and providers raise privacy and community-targeting worries.