BILL REQ. #:  H-2339.2 

READ FIRST TIME 03/03/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to licensing of family day care; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) Notwithstanding RCW 74.15.030, counties with a population of three thousand or less may adopt and enforce ordinances and regulations as provided in this act for family day-care providers as defined in RCW 74.15.020(1)(f) as a twelve-month pilot project. Before a county may regulate family day-care providers in accordance with this act, it shall adopt ordinances and regulations that address, at a minimum, the following: (a) The size, safety, cleanliness, and general adequacy of the premises; (b) the plan of operation; (c) the character, suitability, and competence of a family day-care provider and other persons associated with a family day-care provider directly responsible for the care of children served; (d) the number of qualified persons required to render care; (e) the provision of necessary care, including food, clothing, supervision, and discipline; (f) the physical, mental, and social well-being of children served; (g) educational and recreational opportunities for children served; and (h) the maintenance of records pertaining to children served.
     (2) The county shall notify the department of social and health services in writing sixty days prior to adoption of the family day-care regulations required pursuant to this act. The transfer of jurisdiction shall not occur until the county has notified the department in writing of the effective date of the regulations, and shall be limited to a period of twelve months from the effective date of the regulations. Regulation by counties of family day-care providers as provided in this act shall be administered and enforced by those counties. The department shall not regulate these activities under chapter 74.15 RCW for the twelve-month pilot period. Upon request, the department shall provide technical assistance to any county that is in the process of adopting the regulations required by this act, and after the regulations become effective.
     (3) Any county regulating family day-care providers pursuant to this act shall report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature concerning the outcome of the pilot project upon expiration of the twelve-month pilot period. The report shall include the ordinances and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (1) of this section and a description of how those ordinances and regulations address the specific areas of regulation identified in subsection (1) of this section.