One of the bills I watched the Iowa House debate was House File 2198. It allows 16- and 17-year-olds to provide child care in a center for school-aged children without supervision.
As noted, 16-year-olds can be lifeguards and they can be CNAs, but they can’t work in a child care center without direct supervision from an adult.
Democrats discussed at length the idea that 16- and 17-year-olds may not be responsible enough to provide child care without adult supervision.
This is ironic because many — if not all — of those same Democrats would likely be fully supportive of those teens deciding they’re in the “wrong body” and allow them to undergo gender reassignment surgery.
I mean, are they really willing to suggest that 16- and 17-year-olds may not be entirely trustworthy or responsible or mature enough to care for school-aged kids but are totally trustworthy, responsible and mature enough to decide to receive permanent, life-alftering, gender-reassignment treatment?
For the record, the bill passed 55-43. Democrat Rep. Kristin Sunde voted for the measure. Republican Representatives Megan Jones, Dustin Hite, Charlie McClintock, Jon Dunwell and Sandy Salmon voted against it.
