SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5745

                    As of February 24, 1997

Title:  An act relating to certificates of registration without inspection for family day care providers.

Brief Description:  Providing for certificates of registration without inspection for family day care providers.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Haugen, Hochstatter, Swecker, Zarelli and Stevens.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/25/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Kyle Thiessen (786-7754)

Background:  Currently, most persons who regularly provide day care for 12 or fewer children in the person's home are required to be licensed as family day-care providers.  Family day-care providers are subject to background checks and a variety of regulations relating to health and safety, nutrition, activities, discipline, proper care of young children, and staffing levels.

Certain relatives, parent co-ops, and friends and neighbors who provide occasional care are exempt from the licensing requirement.

There are about 60,000 children in 8,900 licensed family day-care homes in the state of Washington.

Summary of Bill:  Persons who regularly provide day care for no more than seven children in the person's home are exempt from licensing requirements if they hold a "certificate of registration without inspection."  The certificate may be obtained after the Department of Social and Health Services receives:  (1) a satisfactory application from the applicant; (2) a satisfactory background check of the applicant; and (3) payment of a fee.

The department is directed to develop recommended standards concerning health and safety and child care programs for child care facilities.  The department conducts the background check.

The department may suspend, revoke, or deny a certificate for failure to:  (a) comply with applicable rules and conditions; or (b) allow the department entry for a visitation or inspection for the purpose of investigating a complaint of a health or sanitation violation.

"Family day-care provider" is redefined to mean a child day-care provider who regularly provides child care for more than seven children in the provider's home.

The department may use family day-care providers who hold certificates of registration without inspection when purchasing care for children under child welfare laws.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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