It's now after 5:30 p.m. in Boise, and the House Health & Welfare Committee hearing on the child-care licensing bill is still going. So far, 13 people have testified in favor of the bill, and one, former home day-care operator Kimberly Hoffman, testified against. Those in favor included day-care operators, child advocates, parents, the mayor of Eagle, a victim-witness coordinator, a representative of the Catholic Diocese of Idaho, and a spokesman for the state's health districts. Committee members have had lots of questions for those who testified. After Jodi Giem, operator of Eagle Adventist Christian Center, praised the legislation's safety requirements and asked, "Shouldn't we expect that basic safety for our most prized possessions, which are our children?" Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, asked, "Is this lady for or agin' the bill?" Giem answered, "I approve of the bill."

---

---