SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1561

     AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES,

                         APRIL 1, 1993

Brief Description:  Studying whether preschools should be regulated like agencies that care for children, expectant mothers, and developmentally disabled people.

SPONSORS: Representatives Brown, Wolfe, Thibaudeau, Mastin, J. Kohl, H. Myers, Johanson, Romero, Leonard, Karahalios and L. Johnson

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Franklin, Hargrove, McAuliffe, Moyer, Niemi, Prentice, Quigley, Sheldon, and Winsley.

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786‑7461)

Hearing Dates: April 1, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Current law establishes licensing and regulatory authority over agencies that receive children, expectant mothers, or persons with developmental disabilities for control, care, or maintenance outside their homes.  Nursery schools and kindergartens which are primarily engaged in educational work with preschool children for four or less hours per day are excluded from the licensing and regulatory provisions.

Educational programs and facilities for preschool children are provided by both public and private providers.  Public programs and providers funded through the Early Childhood Assistance Program are subject to rules promulgated by the Department of Community Development.  Private providers may choose to be accredited through application to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, but there is no requirement under law that they do so.

SUMMARY:

The child care coordinating committee shall develop phase-in strategy recommendations for regulating educational programs that enroll preschool children for four or fewer hours per day.  The recommendations shall include impact statements and shall be presented to the Legislature by December 1, 1993.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will bring public policy in line with the current realities which have taken place in both the home and workplace.  It will ensure that oversight is provided to children in preschools if it is determined to be necessary.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Representative Lisa Brown, prime sponsor; Julie Nelson, Family Child Care Assn.; Lonnie Johns-Brown, WAEYC