Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workplace Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel backs removing 'visual contact' wording from supervision definition, keeps physical presence requirement
Summary
Work-group members argued that the 'visual contact' standard leads to daily noncompliance citations; the group favored revising supervision language to require physical presence while removing strict visual-contact wording and asked LDOE to refine language.
During the Bulletin 137 review, participants debated the supervision definition’s language. Several providers said the current phrasing — which emphasizes continuous visual contact — leads to routine citations for common classroom moments (for example, when a child's position briefly obscures view behind low shelving).
“There's times where a child bends over behind a toy shelf and there's no visual contact…they're literally, like, six inches away from you,” said a provider participant. Work-group members said maintaining a 'visual contact' requirement is not consistent with common practice and can result in citations for otherwise-compliant supervision.
Panelists proposed removing 'visual contact' while retaining a physical-presence requirement to preserve accountability. Supporters argued the change would reduce unrealistic expectations and better align supervision standards with operational realities. Licensing and department staff agreed to review the recommended wording and return with updated language for the group's consideration.
The department will vet the revision with legal staff and return a refined draft at a future meeting.
