ITS-SIDS N.C. Prevent SIDS law

On August 13, 2003, North Carolina Governor Michael Easley signed into law a bill requiring childcare providers to put babies on their back when placing them to sleep in childcare settings. The N.C. Prevent SIDS law (GS 110-91-15) went into effect December 1, 2003. It is intended to reduce the risk of SIDS in child care.

In addition to specifying infant sleep position, the law stipulates that childcare providers:

• Monitor sleeping babies
• Adopt a written safe sleep policy
• Inform parents/guardians about the safe sleep policy
• Receive SIDS-related training

The N.C. SIDS law allows for a medical or parent waiver under certain conditions. It also requires agencies involved in investigating reports of child abuse or neglect in childcare facilities to coordinate their efforts.

The January 2004 issue of the ITS-SIDS Newsletter has additional details on the components of this legislation.

Childcare Licensing Rules

Childcare licensing rules designed to support the N.C. SIDS law went into effect May 1, 2004 and apply to all facilities licensed to care for infants 12 months of age or younger. TheNorth Carolina Childcare Licensing Rules Summary is available here.

Back to top

Last updated: October 2006