Judge Delays Daycare Scanners

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – A Hinds County chancery judge is telling a state agency to delay the start of a finger scanning system for some parents to sign youngsters in and out of child care.

Delores Suel, who owns Jackson child care centers, sued Tuesday, claiming the Department of Human Services acted illegally by proposing a rule about the scanners without filing an economic impact statement.

DHS wants parents who receive federally subsidized child care to use scanners.

In a hearing Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Earl Scales told Judge Denise Owens that DHS should’ve filed the statement.

Owens ruled DHS must restart rule-making, meaning mid-December – not Nov. 1 – is the earliest scanners could be required. Owens also ruled DHS must hold another public hearing.