HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1866
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 Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to professional development requirements for child day care centers.
Brief Description: Concerning professional development requirements for child day care centers.
Sponsors: Representatives Dent, Chapman, Corry, Griffey, Dolan, Reeves and Appleton.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Human Services & Early Learning: 2/12/19, 2/15/19 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/5/19, 97-0.
Passed Senate: 4/12/19, 47-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & EARLY LEARNING |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Senn, Chair; Callan, Vice Chair; Frame, Vice Chair; Dent, Ranking Minority Member; Eslick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; McCaslin, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Corry, Goodman, Griffey, Kilduff, Klippert, Lovick and Ortiz-Self.
Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).
Background:
Early Childhood Education Certificates.
Students at community colleges can earn "stackable" certificates in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Stackable certificates build off of one another in a sequential order. After earning an ECE Initial Certificate, a student can earn the ECE Short Certificate, followed by the ECE State Certificate, which is the final stackable certificate.
Professional Requirements of Child Care Licensing.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) regulates child care licensing and is responsible for maintaining a set of core competencies for child care and early learning providers.
The DCYF adopted new rules for foundational quality standards for early learning programs in 2018, including rules related to general staff qualifications that go into effect August 1, 2019.
Under the adopted rules, child care center directors and assistant directors working at the time the rule goes into effect have five years to complete an ECE State Certificate or equivalent. A center director or assistant director hired or promoted after the rule goes into effect must have completed the ECE State Certificate or equivalent at the time of hire.
A child care center program supervisor and lead teachers in a center or a family home must complete the ECE Initial Certificate or equivalent either five years from the effective date of the rule, or five years from the date of hire or promotion, whichever is later.
Summary of Bill:
The DCYF must allow child care centers to have until August 1, 2024, to comply with any changes made to professional development requirements after the effective date of the Act.
Professional development means any professional credentials including academic degrees, coursework, or certificates, attendance at conferences, informal learning, or other education required for licensure.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Child care providers need more time to meet education requirements. Centers are struggling with requirements, and if there are too many requirements, they might go underground or go away. Child care centers are needed to provide early learning services, and it is important to support them. Child care centers support this change.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Dent, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.