PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
EARLY LEARNING
Subject of Possible Rule Making: TITLE 170 WAC, including but not limited to chapters 170-03, 170-06, 170-290, 170-151, 170-295, and 170-296 WAC, and new chapter 170-296A WAC (proposed as WSR 11-09-081).
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 43.215 RCW, RCW 43.215.255, 43.215.060, 43.215.070, and 43.43.832(6), and bills as enacted by the 2011 legislature including but not limited to: 2ESHB 1087 (the 2011-2013 Operating Appropriations Act), 2SHB 1903, E2SHB 1776, HB 1419, SB 5172, SB 5625, SSB 5504, or ESSB 5921.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department of early learning (DEL) anticipates that rule making in chapters of TITLE 170 WAC may be needed or required to implement certain bills as enacted by the 2011 legislature and signed by the governor, including but not limited to:
• 2ESHB 1087 (not signed as of May 27, 2011) or other
2011-2013 operating appropriations acts.
• 2SHB 1903 regarding child care background check processes, new and revised fees, who must pay fees, and creation of a portable background check registry.
• E2SHB 1776 regarding licensing requirements for school-age child care centers operated in public or private school buildings.
• HB 1419 regarding interagency sharing of background check information.
• SB 5172 regarding on-site child care for employees of a business.
• SB 5625 regarding nonexpiring licenses for early learning providers.
• SSB 5504 regarding unlicensed child care.
• ESSB 5921 relating to social services, including child care subsidies (not signed as of May 27, 2011).
Under chapter 43.215 RCW generally and RCW 43.215.200,
the DEL director has the duty and authority to adopt minimum
requirements for licensing various child care agencies and
facilities. RCW 43.215.060 and 43.215.070 provide authority
for the director to adopt rules to implement chapter 43.215 RCW or as necessary to qualify the state to receive federal
funds. RCW 43.215.255 requires DEL to establish child care
licensing fees by rule. RCW 43.43.832(6) provides that DEL
must adopt rules regarding procedures for individuals seeking
to obtain a background check clearance to be licensed to
provide, work in, reside on the premises of, or have
unsupervised access [to] children in child care, as well as
persons or agencies that receive state payment (subsidies) for
providing child care.
The department may file more than one proposed rule (CR-102) under this notice, and may if appropriate adopt emergency rules on a temporary basis. To the extent practicable, DEL will circulate draft materials for informal public input during the rule development process. Draft materials, if available, and proposed rules will be posted for review and comment [on] the DEL web site "Rules Comment Page" at https://apps.del.wa.gov/PolicyProposalComment/Detail.aspx.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state department of social and health services provides certain child care background check services to DEL, administers collection of DEL child care license fees, and with DEL jointly administers the working connections child care and seasonal child care subsidy programs. The Washington state patrol provides in-state criminal history information, and coordinates national fingerprint background check processing with the Federal Bureau of Investigation when a fingerprint criminal background check is required for individuals obtaining a DEL child care background check. DEL must follow United States Administration for Children and Families - Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations consistent with the state's CCDF plan. E2SHB 1776 requires DEL to coordinate certain rule development with the state fire marshal's office. To the extent appropriate, DEL plans to coordinate rule development with these state and federal agencies.
Process for Developing New Rule: To the extent practicable, DEL intends to seek 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, by phone at (360) 725-4397, by fax to (360) 725-4459, or writing to DEL Rules Coordinator, Department of Early Learning, P.O. Box 40972, Olympia, WA 98504-0972.
May 31, 2011
Andy Fernando
Rules Coordinator