HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1906
As Reported By House Committee On:
Children & Family Services
Title: An act relating to child care licensing.
Brief Description: Changing child care licensing definitions.
Sponsors: Representatives Lambert and Cooke.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Children & Family Services: 2/23/95, 2/28/95 [DPS].
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Cooke, Chairman; Lambert, Vice Chairman; Stevens, Vice Chairman; Boldt; Buck; Carrell and Padden.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Thibaudeau, Ranking Minority Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Patterson and Tokuda.
Staff: David Knutson (786-7146).
Background: Current child care licensing statutes exempt relatives from complying with licensing requirements. People who care for a neighbor's or friend's children on a regular basis are required to be licensed to provide child care.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The definition of relatives is clarified to more specifically address the extended family members of an Indian child who are exempt from licensing. The relatives of non-Indian children who are exempt from licensing are described in greater detail. People who care for a neighbor's or friend's children on a regular basis are exempt from licensing.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Intent language is added stating that parents should have greater flexibility in meeting their day care needs. Also, all people providing day care should pay all usual and customary taxes.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: None.
Testimony Against: Encouraging unlicensed child care will put children at greater risk. Unlicensed day care providers will not have any liability insurance coverage.
Testified: Julie Nelson, Family Child Care Association (con); Jan Saylor (con); Kim Kelly (con); Stu Jacobson, King County Parents for Safe Day Care (con); and Karen Tvedt, Department of Social and Health Services (concerns).