SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5731

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Higher Education, February 24, 1997

                Ways & Means, February 3, 1998

Title:  An act relating to child care grants for state and regional universities.

Brief Description:  Creating the Washington fund for student child care in higher education.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl, Wood, Brown, Winsley, Bauer and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/20/97, 2/24/97 [DPS].

Ways & Means:  2/3/98 [w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5731 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Wood, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Bauer, Hale, Kohl, Patterson, Prince and Sheldon.

Staff:  Jennifer Hanlon (786-7784)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Without recommendation.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Fraser, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, Loveland, Rossi, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Steve Jones (786-7440)

Background:  In 1989, the Legislature created the child care facility fund.  The fund is administered by a committee within the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development and it provides grants, loans, and loan guarantees of up to $25,000 to businesses and other organizations to start or improve child care facilities.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Washington fund for student child care in higher education is established.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) awards child care grants to state institutions of higher education to address the need for child care at those institutions.  Grants are limited to two years. The administration and the student government of the requesting institution must provide matching funds for the child care grants.

The HECB administers the program.  Review committees to evaluate proposals for funding are established.  Members of the committee include representatives from the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children, the Child Care Coordinating Committee, and the Child Care Resource and Referral Network.

Program guidelines for awarding grants must be consistent with the outcomes of increasing access to child care for students, addressing the demand for infant and toddler care, creating models that can be replicated at other institutions, and creating a partnership between student governments and administrations.

Allocation guidelines must include consideration of the amount of money available and the characteristics of the institutions.  The Treasurer has custody of the fund.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Cooperative preschool programs are an acceptable grant project.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The Higher Education Coordinating Board would be happy to administer this program.  Many programs at community colleges have stopped adding names to their wait lists because of the dramatic need.  There is a significant need for infant and toddler care.  Many students are not able to go to school without campus child care.  Welfare reform will result in a crisis.  This legislation expands the availability of child care, encourages new ideas and solutions, and creates a partnership between the Legislature, administrators, and students.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Kohl, prime sponsor; Susan Patrick, HECB; Patty Allen, Washington Child Care Coalition; Pat McPherson, Lake Washington Technical College; Joyce Rely, Highline Community College; Cindy Huff, SBCTC.