BILL REQ. #:  H-4189.1 

Read first time 01/20/2004.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to early learning and child care programs and services in the state; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that early learning and child care are an essential part of the daily lives of Washington families. The early years of a child's life are critical to the child's healthy brain development and the quality of caregiving during those early years can significantly impact the child's intellectual and emotional growth and social adjustment.
     The legislature further finds that the state is involved in numerous early learning and child care programs and services that are administered through at least three state agencies. A more cohesive and integrated early learning and child care system would result in greater efficiencies for the state and greater accessibility for the families that the programs are intended to serve. An effective system of governance would provide leadership, voice, and vision for early learning and child care in state government.
     It is therefore the purpose of this act to initiate a process to develop a strategic vision and specific goals for early learning and child care programs and services throughout the state in order to provide support to families in preparing for and maintaining children's success in school.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) There is established an early learning and child care legislative work group to make recommendations for developing a strategic vision and specific goals for early learning and child care programs and services in the state.
     (2) Members of the work group shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. Membership of the work group shall consist of members of the house children and family services committee, education committee, and appropriations committee and the senate children and family services and corrections committee, education committee, and ways and means committee. Cochairs of the work group shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.
     (3) The work group shall:
     (a) Define legislative expectations and provide policy direction for a statewide strategic plan for quality early learning and child care programs and services, which places early learning and child care within the context of life-long learning;
     (b) Identify the most efficient system for the administration and fiscal management of quality early learning and child care programs and services in the state;
     (c) Make recommendations regarding consolidation of early learning and child care programs and services in the state; and
     (d) Seek involvement from families, community groups, stakeholder groups, and state agencies involved with early learning and child care programs and services throughout the state.
     (4) The work group shall use legislative facilities and staff from the office of program research and senate committee services.
     (5) The work group shall report its progress to the legislature by December 5, 2004.
     (6) The work group shall report its recommendations to the legislature by January 10, 2005.