5237-S2.E AMH ESLI BROD 130

E2SSB 5237 - H AMD TO CYF COMM AMD (H-1378.1/21) 646

By Representative Eslick

WITHDRAWN 04/08/2021

On page 29, after line 20 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 315. SUPPORT FOR CHILD CARE DESERTS. (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall establish an incentive program to identify, recruit, and support former, prospective, and existing child care providers located in child care deserts to return, enter, or expand child care in those communities. Incentive program supports for providers in child care deserts must include:

(a) Providing grants to providers, who are currently licensed or are in the process of becoming licensed. Grants must be used for one-time costs associated with the opening or expansion of a child care site, including program costs; and

(b) Providing extra time to meet certain licensing requirements and specific early achievers program ratings for licensed or certified child care centers and homes serving nonschool-age children including those receiving state subsidy payments.

(2) The department shall establish procedures to implement the incentive program established in subsection (1) of this section. When developing these procedures, the department shall:

(a) Consider the information included in the child care industry assessment published by the child care collaborative task force pursuant to RCW 43.330.529 in order to identify and target child care deserts and take advantage of any findings, recommendations, or administrative practices; and 

(b) Consult with stakeholders, including organizations representing child care providers and families located in child care deserts.

(3) Beginning December 31, 2021, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit a report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature describing the effectiveness of the child care incentive program in addressing the need for more providers in areas identified as child care deserts. The first report must include program objectives and performance measures for evaluating progress toward achieving the program objectives, including a plan for implementing program supports to increase the number of child care providers in child care deserts. Subsequent annual reports must include a description of the supports implemented and the number of children and families served.

(4) The department must use the child care industry insights dashboard from the child care industry assessment as a tool to identify areas in which additional investments are needed in order to expand existing child care capacity to meet family demand and reduce child care deserts.

(5) This section expires June 30, 2031."

On page 52, line 23 of the striking amendment, after "311 through" strike "314" and insert "315"

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