H-48                 _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 332

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Crane, P. King, Holland, Leonard, Rayburn, Fisch, Wang, Brekke, Scott, Brough, Valle, Miller, R. King and Todd

Read first time 1/30/85 and referred to Committee on Social & Health Services.

AN ACT Relating to day care; adding new sections to chapter 74.15 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature recognizes that a significant increase in our state's population of children under six years old is taking place.  The legislature further recognizes the increasing proportion of children living with only one parent which is projected to increase by forty-eight percent between 1980 and 1990.  These two demographic trends indicate the need for the state to assist parents in locating and maintaining safe affordable day care services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 74.15 RCW to read as follows:

          The department shall maintain a toll free telephone number for parents, guardians, or custodians seeking information about agencies licensed to provide child care under this chapter.  The department shall provide a list of all standards which agencies seeking to be licensed as day care agencies by the department are required to meet.  The list shall include, but not be limited to, all applicable fire, health, safety, and related program requirements.  The day care agencies shall provide copies of the list to all persons visiting the day care agency seeking child care.  Before a parent, guardian, or custodian enrolls the child with an agency licensed under this chapter, the agency shall have that person sign a form stating that he or she has received a copy of the list.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 74.15 RCW to read as follows:

          The department shall inform all parents, guardians, or custodians requesting information from the department about day care providers of the following:

          (1) The agency's or individual's application for licensure, to the extent information in the application does not violate the right of privacy of  the applicable individuals;

          (2) Copies of all inspection reports regarding fire, health, and licensing requirements;

          (3) All letters of reference, if authorized by the originator of the reference;

          (4) All substantiated complaints against the agency or individual without violating the right to privacy of the applicable individual;

          (5) The present status of the agency's or individual's license, including whether the license has been issued, denied, suspended, or revoked, and whether the department has issued a letter of intention to deny, suspend, or revoke the license;

          (6) All policies and documents required by the terms of the license;

          (7) The contents of any licensing file following a departmental decision as to appropriate action relating to the issuance, reinstatement, or termination of a license, to the extent the right to privacy of the applicable individual is protected;

          (8) All child protective services investigative reports provided in relation to alleged abuse or neglect of a child following the completion of the investigation and the final departmental decision regarding the licensing status of the agency or individual, but no information identifiable to persons whose right of privacy would be jeopardized shall be disclosed consistent with chapter 26.44 RCW;

          (9) The names and addresses of all licensees in the particular departmental region; and

          (10) Assistance in selecting a facility which provides the child with a safe environment during the parent's absence.