SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5322

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Human Services & Corrections, February 15, 2001

Title:  An act relating to providing child day‑care licensing information to the public through a toll‑free number.

Brief Description:  Providing child day‑care licensing information to the public through a toll‑free number.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl‑Welles, Long, Hargrove, Costa, Gardner and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  2/1/01, 2/15/01 [DPS‑WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5322 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Costa, Vice Chair; Carlson, Franklin, Hewitt, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Long and Stevens.

Staff:  Edith Rice (786‑7444)

Background:  Parents and consumers of child care services need easily accessible, up-to-date and accurate information about child care providers.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Legislature recognizes that parents and consumers using child care services need improved access to information about providers.  The Department of Social and Health Services must establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number and public web site for communication of information regarding child care providers.  This information includes:

$whether a provider is licensed;

$whether a provider is in good standing;

$general nature of enforcement action taken;

$how to report alleged licensing violations;

$how to report alleged abuse or neglect;

$how to report health, safety and welfare concerns in a daycare;

$how to contact the Office of the Family and Children=s Ombudsman;

$other referral information.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 18, 2001.

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

Testimony For:  Parents and consumers need up to date, accurate information about childcare providers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Lonnie Johns‑Brown, Washington Assn. of Educators for Young Children (pro); Nancy Zahn, Rachel Langer, Children's Administration (pro); Cecile Callison, Dept. of Social and Health Services (pro); Kris Mohn, Parents for Safe Daycare (pro); Susan Kavanaugh, WA State Resource and Referral (pro); Margie Korn, Parents for Safe Children (pro).