HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5653

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Human Services

Title:  An act relating to child care services for homeless families including families that are homeless due to domestic violence.

Brief Description:  Authorizing specialized child care and respite care for children of homeless parents.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Bailey, Stratton, Murray, Talmadge, Vognild, McMullen, Gaspard, Snyder, Wojahn, Johnson, Jesernig, Thorsness and Pelz).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Human Services, April 4, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Leonard, Chair; Riley, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Minority Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Beck; Brekke; Hargrove; Hochstatter; R. King; and H. Myers.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  Children from families who are homeless suffer constant disruption in their living arrangements.  This can result in physical, social, medical and emotional problems.  If children from homeless families have continuity in their child care arrangements, the problems experienced by these children will be reduced.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Department of Social and Health Services is required to contract for specialized child care and respite care for children from homeless families.  Organizations providing specialized child care and respite care must coordinate with early childhood education programs.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The definition of "homeless" is changed to bring the state definition in line with the federal definition.  Homeless child care providers are required to coordinate their efforts with early childhood education programs funded through the Department of Community Development.

Fiscal Note:  Not available.

Appropriation:  Yes.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill takes effect July 1, 1991.  However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Testimony For:  There is a need for this service, however the Department of Social and Health Services is neutral because of the appropriation.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Maggie Edgar, Department of Social and Health Services.