BOSTON (AP) — A class-action lawsuit contends that state-imposed background checks for child care workers in Massachusetts go too far and discriminate against minorities.
The legal action was filed Thursday against the state Department of Early Education by the organization Lawyers for Civil Rights and a Boston-based law firm. It says regulations that took effect last year require “overly stringent” background checks, resulting in many child care workers being barred from the profession.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Tara Gregory, a longtime worker at a Boston day care who says she lost her job and was disqualified from future employment in child care because of a juvenile delinquency finding more than 30 years ago.
The department has said the enhanced background checks were necessary to comply with “new federal mandates.”
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