SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5277

                As Passed Senate, March 9, 1999

Title:  An act relating to child care grants for state institutions of higher education.

Brief Description:  Creating programs for child care at institutions of higher education.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Hale, Shin, Brown, Patterson, Finkbeiner, Eide, Bauer, Swecker, Rasmussen, Sellar, Prentice and Winsley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  1/27/99, 2/19/99 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/9/99, 45-3.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5277 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Bauer, McAuliffe, Sheahan, B. Sheldon, West.

Staff:  Natalie Adams (786-7444)

Background:  Students attending higher educational institutions in Washington find the availability of affordable, quality child care a problem on their campuses.  Currently, Washington law provides a child care facility fund to assist businesses and organizations in developing child care facilities.

Summary of Bill:  In an effort to address the child care needs of state higher educational institutions, the Washington funds for student child care in higher education are established.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), which administer the programs, may award child care grants to institutions that contribute matching funds.  The grants are awarded for  two-year periods.  Institutions may apply for subsequent grant periods when the two years expire.

At least one review committee, established by the HECB and the SBCTC, assists in evaluating proposals for funding.  In addition, the HECB and the SBCTC establish guidelines for submitting grant proposals and allocating grant funds.  The funds are held in the custody of the State Treasurer.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  For many individuals, finding affordable, quality childcare is a barrier to pursuing a higher education.  Most colleges and universities have long waiting lists for child care services and simply cannot keep up with their students' demands for child care.  This bill is a step in the right direction and is essential to keeping higher education within the reach of student parents.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Kim Merriman, The Evergreen State College (pro); Cody Benson, Washington Student Lobby (pro); Kathryn Crum, Associated Students of Eastern Washington University (pro); Jessica Wesch, University of Washington medical student and parent (pro); Rhonda Coats, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (pro); Ginnie DeForest, American Association of University Women (pro); Gloria Price, Centralia College (pro); Bruce Botka, Higher Education Coordinating Board (pro); George Durrie, Eastern Washington University (pro).