S-4068.2  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6557

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

By Senators Kohl, Long, Brown, Patterson, Thibaudeau, Franklin, Rasmussen and Winsley

Read first time 01/21/98.  Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

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 licensed child day-care centers and family day-care providers.

    (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) Find out if a day care is licensed; (b) find out if the day care is in good standing regarding the requirements of its license; (c) report suspected or observed noncompliance with licensing requirements; (d) report abuse or neglect; (e) report concerns regarding the safety and well-being of a child or children; and (f) obtain referral information to an agency or entity that may be of further assistance to the caller.

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