Kansas's recent legislative change, House Bill 2045, significantly deregulates child care by raising the limit for unlicensed providers to four children for up to 35 hours weekly, creating a substantial safety risk. The Kansas State Child Death Review Board reports that nine of 16 child care-related fatalities over the past five years occurred in unregulated settings, with 14 of these victims being infants, many dying in unsafe sleep environments. The law's expansion of exemptions allows for up to 140 hours of unregulated care weekly, shifting enforcement from prevention to investigation after tragedies occur. Critics warn this legal shift increases liability and diminishes protections established by Lexie’s Law. Meanwhile, New Mexico is implementing universal child care, with centers preparing for the rollout amid uncertainty and lack of guidance from state officials. The new policies aim to save families approximately $12,000 annually per child but face logistical challenges, with some providers undecided about participation. Overall, safety concerns loom over deregulation efforts, contrasting with New Mexico’s move toward broader access to child care.