SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5277

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Higher Education, February 19, 1999

Title:  An act relating to child care grants for state institutions of higher education.

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

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl‑Welles, Hale, Shin, Brown, Patterson, Finkbeiner, Eide, Bauer, Swecker, Rasmussen, Sellar, Prentice and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  1/27/99, 2/19/99 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5277 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Bauer, McAuliffe, Sheahan, B. Sheldon, West.

Staff:  Natalie Adams (786-7444)

Background:  Students attending higher educational institutions in Washington find the availability of affordable, quality child care a problem on their campuses.  Currently, Washington law provides a child care facility fund to assist businesses and organizations in developing child care facilities.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  In an effort to address the child care needs of state higher educational institutions, 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Washington grant for child care at institutions of higher education is severed into two grants allowing the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to each administer a program for the institutions they serve.  In addition, the two-year grant limit is expanded to allow institutions to apply for subsequent grant periods or a continuation of a grant period.  Finally, a technical amendment addresses the unique situation at The Evergreen State College which is not considered a "university" and does not have a "student government association."

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  For many individuals, finding affordable, quality childcare is a barrier to pursuing a higher education.  Most colleges and universities have long waiting lists for child care services and simply cannot keep up with their students' demands for child care.  This bill is a step in the right direction and is essential to keeping higher education within the reach of student parents.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Kim Merriman, The Evergreen State College (pro); Cody Benson, Washington Student Lobby (pro); Kathryn Crum, Associated Students of Eastern Washington University (pro); Jessica Wesch, University of Washington medical student and parent (pro); Rhonda Coats, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (pro); Ginnie DeForest, American Association of University Women (pro); Gloria Price, Centralia College (pro); Bruce Botka, Higher Education Coordinating Board (pro); George Durrie, Eastern Washington University (pro).