S-4493.2  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6557

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl, Long, Brown, Patterson, Thibaudeau, Franklin, Rasmussen and Winsley)

Read first time 02/06/98.

Establishing a toll-free telephone number for information on child day-care providers.

    AN ACT Relating to reporting and obtaining information related to licensed child day-care centers and family day-care providers through a toll-free telephone number; and adding a new section to chapter 74.15 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 74.15 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The department shall establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number for communication of information regarding child day-care centers and family day-care providers.  The number shall be published in reasonably available printed and electronic media.  The number shall be easily identifiable as a number for communication of information as set forth in this section.

    (2) All licensed child day-care centers and family day-care providers shall post in a place and manner clearly visible to patrons and visitors the department's toll-free telephone number.  Parents or guardians must be given the department's toll-free telephone number.

    (3)(a) The department shall make a preliminary review of the complaint and investigate any complaint within its authority unless the department determines that:  (i) The complaint is intended to willfully harass a licensee or employee of a licensee; or (ii) there is no reasonable basis for investigation; or (iii) corrective action has been taken as determined by the department.

    (b) The department shall refer complaints to the appropriate state agencies, law enforcement agencies, the attorney general, or other entities if the department lacks authority to investigate or if its investigation reveals that a follow-up referral to one or more of these entities is appropriate.

    (4) For the purposes of this section, "communication of information" means callers may:  (a) Determine whether a day care is licensed; (b) determine whether a day care is in good standing regarding licensing requirements; (c) obtain information on how to report suspected or observed noncompliance with licensing requirements; (d) obtain information on how to report alleged abuse or neglect in a day care; (e) obtain information on how to report health, safety, and welfare concerns in a day care; (f) receive follow-up assistance, including information on the office of the family and children's ombudsman; and (g) receive referral information on other agencies or entities that may be of further assistance to the caller.

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