Z-1460               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 4878

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Senators Kreidler, Peterson, Williams, Fleming, Garrett and Talmadge;by request of Governor

Read first time 1/23/86 and referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

AN ACT Relating to day care for state employees; adding a new section to chapter 41.04 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 41.04 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature finds that (1) demographic, economic, and social trends underlie a critical and increasing demand for child day care in the state of Washington; (2) working parents, their children, and employers, both private and public, benefit when the employees' child care needs have been resolved; and (3) the state of Washington should serve as a model employer by creating a supportive atmosphere, to the extent feasible, in which its employees may meet their child day care needs.  The legislature finds further that resolving employee child day care concerns not only benefits the employees and their children, but may benefit the employer by reducing absenteeism, increasing employee productivity, improving morale, and enhancing the employer's position in recruiting and retaining employees.  Therefore, the legislature declares that it is the policy of the state of Washington to assist employees by creating a supportive atmosphere in which they may meet their child day care needs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     (1) The state personnel board created under chapter 41.06 RCW shall study chapter 41.06 RCW and other appropriate statutes and the rules adopted to implement them in order to identify areas where state law and administrative rule could be modified to recognize the importance of child day care and to create a supportive atmosphere in which state employees may meet their needs for child day care.  Where appropriate, the board shall adopt or amend its rules in order to permit and encourage agency heads to carry out the purposes of this act.

          (2) The higher education personnel board created under chapter 28B.16 RCW shall study chapter 28B.16 RCW and other appropriate statutes and the rules adopted to implement them in order to identify areas where state law and administrative rules could be modified to recognize the importance of child day care and to create a supportive atmosphere in which state employees may meet their needs for child day care.  Where appropriate, the board shall adopt or amend its rules in order to permit and encourage agency heads to carry out the purposes of this act.

          (3) The studies required under subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of job sharing and part-time employment, flex-time and other alternative work schedules, flex-workplace opportunities, leave policies, orientation and training regarding personnel practices relating to working parent concerns, and the potential for developing state information and referral services.

          (4) The state personnel board and the higher education personnel board shall coordinate and submit a joint report containing the results of the studies required under this section.  The report shall include a description of the rules that have been adopted or modified or those proposed for adoption or modification, and recommended changes or additions to state law necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.  The report shall be submitted no later than October 30, 1986, to (a) the governor, and (b) the chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate for submittal to and review by the appropriate standing committees of the legislature.