HOUSE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                   SSB 5682

 

 

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by  Senators Rinehart, McDermott, Moore, Williams, Gaspard, Talmadge, Nelson, Lee, Bailey, Johnson and Kiskaddon)

 

 

Authorizing a study and demonstration project to provide child day care for children of state employees at the University of Washington.

 

 

House Committe on Higher Education

 

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9).

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Allen, Basich, Jesernig, Nelson, Silver, Unsoeld and K. Wilson.

 

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Barnes.

 

      House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

 

 

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION MARCH 30, 1987

 

BACKGROUND:

 

National statistics indicate that the proportion of mothers entering the workforce is continuing to grow at record rates. As reported by the Congressional Committee on Education and Labor, today 96 percent of fathers and more than 60 percent of mothers work.  The fastest growing segment of working women is comprised of women with children under the age of three. Nearly 50 percent of all mothers with children under one year of age are now working outside of the home.  And nearly half of all children in two-parent families have both parents in the workforce.  One of the major concerns faced by these parents is the availability of reliable, affordable, and accessible childcare.

 

In recognition of this phenomenon, in 1984, the legislature established a day care demonstration project for the children of state employees.  A $90,000 legislative appropriation was used to remodel and prepare a site at 531 East 15th Avenue in Olympia.  The ABC Children's Center, Inc. was awarded the contract to operate the center from startup in January 1986 until January 1988.  Under a lease arrangement with the Department of General Administration, the center will pay $500 per month in rent through December 31, 1990.  The center has limited their enrollment to a maximum of 24 children who range from infancy to five years of age. The charge to participants varies from $260 per month for infants to $205 per month for three, four, and five year olds.  By September, 1986, there were 35 applications on the center's waiting list for infants and toddlers.

 

SUMMARY:

 

A self supporting, child care demonstration project for University of Washington civil service employees is established.

 

The Higher Education Personnel Board will conduct a study to determine the need for and interest in a child care center for University of Washington civil service employees. The board will also determine the number of children which may participate in the project.

 

With representatives of University of Washington employee organizations, the Higher Education Personnel Board will identify one or more suitable sites for the project in nonuniversity state-owned or state- leased buildings, or in other buildings near the university.  The board will establish a fair rental rate for the sites. If suitable sites are available, the board will contract with one or more organizations to operate demonstration child care centers.

 

The board, in conjunction with employee organizations, will establish criteria to ensure that efforts are made to grant highest priority for participation to the children of parents with the greatest need.

 

Appropriation:    $75,000 is appropriated to the Higher Education Personnel Board to conduct the needs assessment and for project start-up costs.

 

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

 

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Scott Sigman, Washington Federation of State Employees; Susan Johnson, Service Employees International Union; and Lonnie Johns-Brown, National Organization for Women.

 

House Committee - Testified Against:      Sonnia Bean.

 

House Committee - Testimony For:    Daycare is a high priority for many classified staff at the University of Washington.  The state should take a leadership role in providing daycare for state employees.

 

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Daycare is a parental responsibility.  The state should not be involved in providing daycare.