Childcare facilities would carry the same prohibitions on deadly weapons as K-12 schools under legislation passed Thursday by the Senate.

“When parents send their kids off to school, they expect these facilities and grounds to be safe and secure,” said Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Auburn, the bill’s sponsor. “The state already prohibits people from possessing firearms on K-12 school campuses. This bill simply extends that same common-sense policy to childcare facilities.”

Wilson, the vice chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, said Senate Bill 5434 would help keep younger children safe from the deadly shootings that are spilling into public venues with increasing frequency.

“We should take all reasonable steps to promote safety at facilities where children learn or are cared for,” said Wilson who is vice chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. “Parents deserve some assurance their children will be safe from deadly gun violence in venues where children congregate.”

Wilson’s bill prohibits the possession of firearms on the premises of any licensed childcare center, childcare center provided-transportation, or other childcare center facility. The bill would also require family day care providers to keep any firearm on premises in a locked gun safe or unloaded in a locked room with a trigger lock or other disabling device.

Having passed the Senate for the second year in a row, the bill again goes to the House for consideration there.