HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1587

BYRepresentatives Nutley, Haugen, Braddock, Winsley, R. Fisher, Wang, Pruitt, Wineberry, Todd, Leonard, Jones, Rust, Jacobsen and Phillips

Encouraging the dispersion of child care facilities throughout Washington.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Ferguson, Ranking Republican Member; Horn, Nealey, Nelson, Phillips, Raiter, Rayburn, Wolfe, Wood and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Counties, cities and towns are authorized to plan and zone.

SUMMARY:

Each county, city and town shall conduct a review of the need and demand for child care facilities if the county, city or town does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in areas zoned for single family or other residential use, and for mini-day care centers and day care centers in areas zoned for residential and commercial uses.  The review must be completed by November 30, 1990, and a copy of the review must be sent to the department of community development by December 31, 1990.

The department of community development is to report the results of the local reviews to appropriate committees of the Legislature by January 31, 1991.  In consultation with various associations, the department of community development shall develop a model ordinance by June 1, 1990, for the siting of child care facilities.

A family day care home is defined as a child care facility for six or fewer children located in the family abode of the person with direct care over the children.  A mini-day care center is defined as a child care facility for 12 or fewer children, if not located in the family abode of the person with direct care over the children, or for from seven to 12 children if located in the family abode of the person with direct care over the children.  A day care facility is defined as a child care facility for 13 or more children.

Appropriation:    Six thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Community Development by December 31, 1990.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Margie Reeves, Child Care Workers Coalition; Julie Nelson, Washington Family Child Care; Ann Simons, National Organization for Women; Sadikifuz Akena-James, King County; and Stan Finkelstein, Association of Washington Cities.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There is a real need for child care facilities.  This is a middle course bill.  No zoning mandates are made.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.