JS Online - Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law Friday legislation to curb fraud in the state's taxpayer-supported child-care program and to hold welfare officials more accountable when a child suffers abuse or neglect.
The senator pointed to two series of ongoing investigative reports in the Journal Sentinel that raised the issues addressed in the new laws.
One, "Fatal Care," exposed weaknesses in the child welfare system and the need for greater transparency after the November 2008 beating death of 13-month-old Christopher Thomas.
The second, "Cashing in on Kids," uncovered serious fraud and abuse in the state's child-care program.
Ongoing Journal Sentinel investigation details how parents and child-care providers work in cahoots to easily scam the $350 million Wisconsin Shares program.
"Wisconsin Shares is intended to help honest people find honest work," Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson (D-Kaukauna) said in a statement.
"With the current economic climate, this is more important than ever."
Jauch said: "Caring for children is our most basic responsibility, and we must be continually vigilant in making sure that children are safe and that tax dollars are spent to serve the intended purpose of supporting families."