Brief Description: Requiring child care agencies to provide additional information to parents.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Hargrove, Rasmussen and Jacobsen).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections
House Committee on Children & Family Services

Background: Under current law, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers the licensing of child day-care providers. These can be child care centers, or family day-care providers. DSHS sets minimum standards for licensing and does not currently require providers to show proof of insurance coverage. DSHS can take a variety of actions against a provider in the event that they do not meet the appropriate statutory or regulatory standards set by the department. Sanctions for non-compliance can include denial, suspension or revocation of a license, civil monetary penalties and in some cases criminal penalties. Current law does not require child care providers to make timely disclosure of licensing status or insurance coverage to users of their services.

Summary: DSHS is to make child care licensing status and related information about providers, available to parents by establishing a toll-free number and a web based system. Providers are to post the toll-free number and note the availability of licensing status information. Providers are to post information about their license, the DSHS toll-free number, any pending enforcement actions, and the fact that inspection reports are available from the provider.

Providers and DSHS are to make inspection reports and information about any enforcement actions available. This bill clarifies and adds some penalties. DSHS has the ability to place a provider on non-referral status if the provider fails to comply with the law or agency enforcement action. Enforcement action is defined. Alternatives to enforcement actions are provided; the conditions under which notification to child care resource and referral agencies are to be provided are described. Written notification, is required in providing notice of nonreferral status to providers. Child day-care centers must show proof of insurance at the time of licensing or renewal. If a provider's coverage lapses or is terminated, parents must be informed in writing. Family day-care providers must either show proof of insurance at the time of licensing or renewal or if they choose not to carry insurance they must inform parents of their insurance status in writing.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      43   3
House      96   0   (House amended)
Senate      45   1   (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005