FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5277

                          C 375 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating programs for child care at institutions of higher education.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Hale, Shin, Brown, Patterson, Finkbeiner, Eide, Bauer, Swecker, Rasmussen, Sellar, Prentice and Winsley).

Senate Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Higher Education

Background:  Finding affordable, quality child care is one of the most difficult challenges that student parents face when pursuing a higher education.  Many institutions report that they have long waiting lists for child care services and simply cannot meet the students= demands for child care.  Currently, Washington law provides a child care facility fund to assist businesses and organizations in developing child care facilities.  However, there is no similar program to assist educational institutions.

Summary:  In an effort to address the child care needs of parents attending state institutions of higher education, the Washington funds for student child care in higher education are established.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), which administer the programs, may award child care grants to institutions that contribute matching funds.  The grants are awarded for two-year periods.  Institutions may apply for subsequent grant periods when the two years expire.

At least one review committee, established by the HECB and the SBCTC, assists in evaluating proposals for funding.  In addition, the HECB and the SBCTC establish guidelines for submitting grant proposals and allocating grant funds.  The funds are held in the custody of the State Treasurer.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 45 3

House     93 3

Effective:  July 25, 1999