HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1586

BYRepresentatives Spanel, Miller, R. King, H. Myers, Jacobsen, Rector, Wood, Fraser, Anderson, Winsley, R. Fisher, Wang, Kremen, Pruitt, Wineberry, P. King, Todd, Leonard, Jones, Rust, Scott, Basich, Phillips and Patrick

Providing for child care services at community colleges.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Fraser, Heavey, Inslee, Jesernig, H. Myers and Wood.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786- 7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION FEBRUARY 22, 1989

BACKGROUND:

As a result of the passage of SB 5871 in 1987, the State Board for Community College Education conducted a survey of child care facilities and programs available on community college campuses. The study included needs assessments on campuses that did not have any facilities.  At the study's conclusion, the Board made a series of recommendations to the legislature and the institutions.

The Board found that 20 of the 27 colleges provided child care services to about 1,800 children.  Sixteen colleges had waiting lists involving about 700 children.  The Board discovered that student families are the primary recipients of these services.  Two-thirds of the families served were low income, and one-half were single parent families.

Parents provide almost five-sixths of the funding for program budgets.  The fees paid are at the highest level that parents indicated they are able to pay for child care.  The Board concluded that budget subsidies are needed to expand the level of service and to pay for required comparable worth salary adjustments.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL: The legislature finds that the efforts of community college student parents to attain economic self-sufficiency should be encouraged and supported through the provision of child care services on community college campuses.

Three million five hundred thirty-nine thousand dollars is appropriated for the 1989-91 biennium to the State Board for Community College Education.  The funds will be used for the following purposes:

(1) Increasing the child care service level;

(2) Providing care for toddlers;

(3) Extending the hours that child care is available; and

(4) Funding staff development for childcare workers.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  References to comparable worth salary adjustments are deleted, and clarifies that staff development funds are for child care personnel.

Appropriation:    $3,539,000 to the State Board for Community College Education.

Fiscal Note:      Available

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Laurie McGlothlin, Washington Association of Community College Students; Jan Yoshiwara, State Board for Community College Education; Mary Garguile; Diane Warwick; Larry McMillan, Western Washington University; Lonnie Johns-Brown, National Organization for Women; Bob Maier, Washington Education Association; Marlene Merrill; Deirdre Godfrey, Fair Budget Action Campaign.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    One of the greatest obstacles faced by single parent students at community colleges is the lack of available, affordable childcare. Many students need childcare for part of a day, but most childcare providers do not provide services for children who need part time or evening care. When part-time or drop in care is available, it tends to be extremely expensive. Many campus childcare centers offer excellent learning opportunities for the children clients. They often offer parenting and child development education for parents as well.  Many clients are low-income, single parents who would not be able to attend college without the support these programs provide.  Therefore, funding child care services is one of the top priorities for community college students.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.