H-5047.1          _______________________________________________

 

                             HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 4041

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Jones, Nelson, Haugen, Ferguson, Miller, Prentice, Leonard, Mitchell, Vance, Valle, G. Cole, G. Fisher, Hargrove, Ballard, Dellwo and Paris

 

Read first time 03/04/92.  Referred to Committee on Local Government.Advocating improved zoning regulations concerning day care facilities.


     TO THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES, THE WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, THE WASHINGTON STATE FAMILY CHILDCARE ASSOCIATION, AND MEMBERS OF APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES:

     We, Your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

     WHEREAS, There exists a need for affordable, good quality, licensed family day care in all areas of the state; and

     WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes that the provision of licensed family day care is an issue of state-wide importance; and

     WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes that the siting of licensed family day care facilities is currently a local land-use issue; and

     WHEREAS, Local governments should be encouraged to facilitate the siting of licensed family day care facilities to meet the demand for child care services; and

     WHEREAS, In 1989, the Legislature directed the State Department of Community Development to conduct a study on the role that local zoning regulations play on the need and demand for licensed family day care facilities; and

     WHEREAS, The study provided local governments with a model ordinance for the siting of licensed day care facilities; and

     WHEREAS, There exists a need to conduct a survey to assess local government zoning regulation of licensed family day care facilities and to determine the number of local governments that have revised their zoning regulations, as a result of the model ordinance, to facilitate the siting of licensed family day care facilities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, The Legislature urges that the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington State Association of Counties, and the Washington State Family Childcare Association conduct a survey of local government zoning regulations and the siting of licensed family day care facilities; and

     BE IT RESOLVED, That the findings and recommendations based on the survey be submitted in a written report by December 1, 1992, to the House of Representatives and the Senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the written report contain recommendations on administrative changes needed to facilitate the siting of licensed family day care facilities at the local level; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this memorial be immediately transmitted to the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington State Association of Counties, the Washington State Family Childcare Association, and members of the appropriate legislative committees.