BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The family of 16-month-old Jamal Bryant Jr, who tragically passed away at a Brunswick daycare in May 2024, is giving strong support for a new Georgia state bill aimed at improving safety in daycare centers.
The bill, introduced by State Representative Rick Townsend, would mandate CPR training for all daycare staff and require facilities to have specific safety devices.
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The proposed legislation, House Bill 118, would require daycares across the state to have portable airway clearance devices, which can be used to clear an airway if a child chokes.
The bill would also mandate that daycare employees undergo CPR training within 30 days of employment—shortening the current 90-day window allowed by state regulations.
“This airway clearance device would essentially be an extra tool in the toolbox, allowing you to cover the person’s mouth and extract any object that may be blocking their airway,” explained Townsend.
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The bill was inspired by the death of Jamal Bryant Jr. who choked on a piece of watermelon while eating at the daycare. Despite efforts to save him, Jamal passed away hours later. Townsend believes the airway device could have increased the chances of saving his life.
“It’s a very effective device, costing less than $100 in most cases,” Townsend said. “While we can’t say for certain it would have saved Jamal’s life, it definitely would have given him a better chance.”
Though they support the bill, Jamal’s family has called for a few modifications, including a request for the bill to be named in Jamal’s honor. They also urged for stronger regulations regarding how daycare facilities care for children.
“In honor of our beloved Jamal Bryant Jr., the family hopes this bill will be named after him,” the family said in a statement. “This bill would not even be under consideration if Jamal had not tragically lost his life. DECAL has very specific regulations about how childcare facilities should feed and care for infants, toddlers, and children. Had The Kids Nest daycare followed these procedures, Jam al would still be here today.”
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The family’s call for accountability is echoed by local daycare centers, including Bright Beginnings Daycare in Brunswick, which expressed support for the bill’s safety measures.
“If this can help even one child, how can anyone say no?” said Burnell Williams, a staff member at Bright Beginnings.
The bill also seeks to address CPR certification lapses, particularly after it was revealed that at Kids Nest Learning Center, only one of five staff members was CPR certified, despite state regulations requiring that at least half of the staff be trained.
The Kids Nest Learning Center, where Jamal died, closed its doors permanently in August 2024, following Jamal’s death.
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