H-1041              _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 665

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Jacobsen, Tanner, Scott and Wang

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

AN ACT Relating to child care; and adding a new chapter to Title 74 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that demographic, economic, and social trends underlie an increased demand for child care services in the state of Washington.  As this need increases, and traditional sources of support such as extended families and government aid are diminishing, there is an urgent need to improve the availability, affordability, and quality of child care services in the state.

          It is the purpose of this act to establish a state child care policy and to foster a partnership between the public and private sectors to implement that policy.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Washington to:

          (1) Maintain and support a variety of child care services;

          (2) Recognize and support the primary role of the family in making child care decisions, and encourage parents to participate fully in all phases of planning for and providing of child care;

          (3) Establish and enforce high standards for quality of service, training of child care providers, monitoring of facilities, and safety of children;

          (4) Assure equal access to quality child care services to all families, regardless of income; and

          (5) Promote broad community and private sector support for child care services, as part of a state commitment to families and children.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The department of commerce and economic development shall establish an office of child care advocacy to advocate for quality child care in Washington state and to help foster a partnership of public and private interests in order to improve child care services.  The office of child care advocacy shall perform the following functions:

          (1) Develop and disseminate information about the benefits of employer-assisted child care services, including but not limited to flexible benefits, on-site child care facilities, family-supportive leave, and personnel policies;

          (2) Sponsor meetings and conferences for employers interested in offering child care assistance to their employees; and

          (3) Coordinate various state agencies with responsibilities for the care of children, and provide information to interested persons about child care issues.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 74 RCW.