State, church dispute flares over Pa. child care

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bill that would relax the qualifications for employees at religiously affiliated child-care centers in Pennsylvania has the approval of the state Senate Education Committee.

The bill passed 9-2 today.

Aside from easing requirements for the facility staff, it would transfer oversight of religiously affiliated child-care facilities to the Department of Education in what proponents call an effort to settle a dispute between the state government and the Roman Catholic Church.

A lobbyist representing the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference told committee members that the aim of the bill is to limit the authority of the Department of Public Welfare to impose rules that don’t concern health and safety.

He acknowledged, however, that the department has not encroached on religious liberties.