AN ACT Relating to early childhood education and assistance; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the legislature to establish a preschool state education and assistance program from 1985 to 1987. This special assistance program is a voluntary enrichment program to help prepare some children to enter the common school system and shall be offered only as funds are available. This program is not a part of the basic program of education which must be fully funded by the legislature under Article IX, section 1 of the state Constitution.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Advisory committee" means the advisory committee under section 6 of this act.

(2) "At risk" means a child at least four years of age and not eligible for kindergarten whose family circumstances would qualify that child for eligibility under the federal head start program.

(3) "Department" means the department of community development.

(4) "Eligible child" means an at-risk child as defined in this section who is not a participant in a federal or state program providing like educational services and may include children who are eligible under rules adopted by the department if the number of such children equals not more than ten percent of the total enrollment in the preschool program.

(5) "Approved preschool programs" means those state-supported education and special assistance programs which are recognized by the department of community development as meeting the minimum program rules adopted by the department to qualify under this chapter and are designated as eligible for funding by the department under sections 7 and 9 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department of community development shall administer a state-supported preschool education and assistance program to assist eligible children with educational, social, health, nutritional, and cultural development to enhance their opportunity for success in the common school system. Eligible children shall be admitted to approved preschool programs to the extent that the legislature provides funds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Approved preschool programs shall receive state-funded support through the department. School districts, and existing head start grantees in cooperation with school districts, are eligible to participate as providers of the state preschool program. School districts may contract with other governmental or nongovernmental nonsectarian organizations to conduct a portion of the state program. Funds appropriated for the state program shall be used to establish new or expanded preschool programs, and shall not be used to supplant federally supported head start programs. Persons applying to conduct the preschool program shall identify targeted groups to be served, program components, the qualifications of instructional and special staff, facilities and equipment support, and transportation and personal care arrangements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department shall establish an advisory committee composed of interested parents and representatives from the state board of education, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the division of children and family services within the department of social and health services, early childhood education and development staff preparation programs, the head start programs, school districts, and such other organizations as deemed necessary by the department to assist with the establishment of the preschool program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department shall adopt rules under chapter 34.04 RCW for the establishment of the preschool program, not later than December 1, 1985. Federal head start program criteria, to the extent practicable, shall be considered as guidelines for the 1985-87 state preschool early childhood assistance program.

The department in developing rules for the preschool program shall consult with the advisory committee, and shall consider such factors as coordination with existing head start and other preschool programs, the preparation necessary for instructors, qualifications of instructors, adequate space and equipment, and special transportation needs. The rules shall specifically require the preschool programs to provide for parental involvement at a level not less than that provided under the federal head start program criteria.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department shall review applications received by March 15, 1986, and designate those programs eligible to commence operation on or after May 1, 1986.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The governor shall report to the legislature before the convening of the regular legislative session in 1987, on the merits of continuing and expanding the preschool program or instituting other means of providing early childhood development assistance. This report shall consider the experiences of federal and state preschool programs and address the preschool education recommendations submitted to the legislature during 1985.

If the governor recommends the continuation of a state-funded preschool program, then the governor's report shall include specific recommendations on at least the following issues:

(1) The desired relationships of a state-funded preschool education and assistance program with the common school system;

(2) The types of children and their needs that the program should serve;

(3) The appropriate level of state support for implementing a comprehensive preschool education and assistance program for all eligible children, including related programs to prepare instructors and provide facilities, equipment, and transportation; and

(4) The state administrative structure necessary to implement the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. For the 1985-87 biennium, the department shall award state support under sections 1 through 7 of this act to increase the numbers of eligible children assisted by the federal or state-supported preschool programs in this state by at least five thousand additional children by 1987. Priority shall be given to groups in those geographical areas which include a high percentage of families qualifying under the federal "at risk" criteria. The overall program funding level shall be based on an average grant of no more than two thousand seven hundred dollars per child to cover all program costs: PROVIDED, That programs addressing special needs of selected groups or communities shall be recognized in the department's rules.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The department from funds appropriated for the administration of the program under this act shall reimburse the expenses of the advisory committee.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided in the omnibus appropriations act for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1985, this act shall be null and void.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. This act shall be known as the early childhood assistance act of 1985.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. Sections 1 through 11 of this act shall expire June 30, 1987.