HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5172

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

April 5, 2011

Title: An act relating to authorizing the use of short-term, on-site child care for the children of facility employees.

Brief Description: Authorizing the use of short-term, on-site child care for the children of facility employees.

Sponsors: Senators Brown, Harper, Baumgartner, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, McAuliffe and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Early Learning & Human Services: 3/8/11, 3/18/11 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/5/11, 94-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes specific facilities to provide unlicensed child care for up to two hours when the child's parent/legal guardian is on the premises for employment purposes.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Roberts, Vice Chair; Walsh, Ranking Minority Member; Hope, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Goodman and Orwall.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Overstreet.

Staff: Megan Palchak (786-7120).

Background:

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) regulates child care in Washington, and requires licensure of any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or facility that provides child care outside a child's home. However, the following are exempt from the DEL child care licensing requirements:

Summary of Bill:

The bill exempts the following from the DEL licensing requirements: facilities providing child care for less than 24 hours when a parent or legal guardian of the child remain on the premises of the facility for employment purposes, for up to two hours per day. Such facilities must be operated by a nonprofit entity that operates a licensed child care program at the same facility in another location or at another facility.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The YMCA in Spokane has a licensed child care facility on-site and a short-term drop-in facility which is not licensed. Fitness instructors are technically unable to use the short-term drop-in facility because they are on the premises for employment purposes. This causes instructors to use the licensed care facility, which is problematic because there are many low-income families who are members of the YMCA in need of licensed care. This bill would address a glitch in the rules to allow facility employees to use short-term, on-site, unlicensed child care, and will free up space in licensed child care in the same facility for members. The drop-in facility is held to the same quality standards as the licensed facility.

(Neutral) Typically, the DEL would not endorse unlicensed care. However, since this bill authorizes short-term unlicensed care at a facility that is otherwise licensed, the DEL is fine with this exemption.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Brown, prime sponsor; and Rig Riggins, YMCA of the Inland Northwest.

(Neutral) Amy Blondin, Department of Early Learning.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.