WSR 16-15-082

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed July 19, 2016, 1:50 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Implementing a single set of weighted licensing standards for child care and the early childhood education and assistance program (ECEAP). Revising chapters in Title 170 WAC as needed for consistency; repealing chapters 170-295 and 170-296A WAC; creating new chapter 170-300 WAC.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.215.070, 43.215.201, chapter 43.215 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The legislature in 2015 passed the Early Start Act (HB 1491, 2015), and it requires the agency to implement a single set of licensing standards for child care and ECEAP. The new WAC chapter will provide minimum health and safety standards for child care and preschool programs, use the standards established in the early achievers program to address quality issues in participating early childhood programs, take into account the separate needs of family care providers and child care centers and promote the continued safety of child care settings. Additionally, the new licensing standards will be weighted to improve licensing enforcement and to enhance the health and safety of children in early learning settings.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: As appropriate, the department of early learning (DEL) will coordinate development of these rules with the state department of social and health services, the state department of health, Washington state patrol, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, state department of education, state fire marshal's office, and the United States Administration for Children and Families.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making; and to the extent practicable, DEL intends to seek stakeholder and public input during the rule drafting and development process. At a later date, DEL will file proposed rules (more than one proposed rule-making notice may be filed), hold a public hearing or hearings, and accept written comments before adopting permanent rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Individuals and organizations wishing to receive draft and proposed materials may join a DEL rules mailing list by contacting the DEL rules coordinator at Rules@del.wa.gov, fax (360) 725-4925, or by writing to the DEL Rules Coordinator, Department of Early Learning, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504-0970.

July 20 [19], 2016

Saul Olivarez

Rules Coordinator