SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5172

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Human Services & Corrections, February 10, 2011

Title: An act relating to authorizing the use of short-term, on-site child care for the children of facility employees.

Brief Description: Authorizing the use of short-term, on-site child care for the children of facility employees.

Sponsors: Senators Brown, Harper, Baumgartner, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, McAuliffe and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/27/11, 2/10/11 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Harper and McAuliffe.

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or facility that provides child care outside a child's home must be licensed by the Department of Early Learning (DEL). The following are exempt from licensing requirements:

Summary of Bill: A facility operated by a nonprofit entity which provides child care for less than 24 hours and the parent or legal guardian remains on the premises for employment of up to two hours a day is exempt from licensing requirements. To qualify for this exemption, the facility must also operate a licensed child care program in the same facility in another location or at another facility.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Spokane YMCA provides licensed child care and also provides fitness classes. Currently the child care center that patrons of the Y use while they work out is not available to fitness instructors because they are getting paid for teaching a class and considered an employee. As a result, they must drop their children off at the licensed child care facility at the Y thus taking up a spot that someone else may need. This bill would allow people who teach classes at the Y to use the same facility for child care that patrons of the Y use.

OTHER: The purpose of the bill is to support parents. There are some concerns that the exemption in the bill would allow a child to be cared for in an unlicensed facility for a couple of hours and DEL has no oversight authority to make sure that the children are not in them for more than 2 hours. However, DEL does not have concerns about the bill.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Brown, prime sponsor.

OTHER: Amy Blondin, DEL.