SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5029

              As Passed Senate, February 3, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the children's services advisory committee.

Brief Description:  Modifying membership and duties of children's services advisory committee.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove, Fraser and Winsley; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/12/95, 1/25/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/3/95, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Fairley, Kohl, Long, Moyer, Palmer, Prentice and Schow.

Staff:  Dennis Martin (786-7403)

Background:  The Children's Services Advisory Committee advises the Division of Children and Family Services on various matters, including day care services.  Currently, one third of the advisory committee membership must be composed of child-care providers and at least one member must represent the adoption community.  The Division of Children and Family Services no longer regulates day-care facilities.

In 1988, the Child Care Coordinating Committee was created.  The committee provides coordination between state agencies responsible for child care and early childhood education services.  Responsibility for the oversight of day-care facilities has been transferred to the Child Care Coordinating Committee.  The office of Child Care Policy was created to staff and assist the Child Care Coordinating Committee.

Summary of Bill:  The Children's Services Advisory Committee no longer advises the Division of Children and Family Services on matters specifically pertaining to day care.  Limitations placed on the composition of the advisory committee are removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  These technical changes reflect the shift of day care matters to the Child Care Coordinating Committee.  The bill corrects an historical oversight which should have been made when the coordinating committee was created.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Richard Anderson, Division of Children and Family Services, DSHS.

House Amendment(s):  The requirement is reinstated that at least one member of the Children's Services Advisory Committee be representative of the adoption community.