Title: An act relating to child care at institutions of higher education.

Brief Description: Regarding child care at institutions of higher education.

Sponsors: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Roberts, Hasegawa, Ormsby, Jarrett, Sells, Williams, Appleton, McIntire, Goodman, Green and Quall).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/08, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 2/20/08, 2/21/08 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Shin, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey and Schoesler.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: The Institutional Child Care Grant program was established in 1999 to promote high-quality, accessible, and affordable child care for students attending the state's public colleges and universities. Grants were made available, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education requiring the college or university administration and the student government association at each receiving institution to match the grant amount received from the state. During the 2006-07 academic year, the student government associations at the public baccalaureate institutions contributed over $2 million dollars to support child care programs on their campuses.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) administers the grants to the public and four-year institutions. All of the public baccalaureate institutions have received funds since the program began in 1999. The HECB awarded grants totaling $165,000 during the 2007-09 biennium. Four of the six public colleges and universities submitted proposals and received the following allocations to be used over the course of two years: Washington State University, $61,033; University of Washington, $11,794; Western Washington University, $68,794; and The Evergreen State College, $23,094.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) administers the program for community and technical colleges. Nineteen of the 34 community and technical colleges have been awarded funds through the program. The SBCTC awarded grants totaling $100,000 during the 2007-09 biennium. Grants ranging from $11,000 to $30,000 were awarded to the community colleges of Bellevue, Edmonds, Green River, Skagit Valley, and South Seattle.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): The HECB and the SBCTC must award child care grants on a competitive or matching basis. The HECB administers the program for the four-year institutions and is required to proportionally distribute funds based on the financial support for child care received by the student government associations. The SBCTC administers the program for the two-year institutions. The SBCTC must establish granting guidelines consistent with the Legislature's desired outcome of creating more cooperative preschool programs and models that can be replicated at other institutions. The student government association at institutions of higher education may solicit funds from private organizations and through targeted fund raising campaigns, as part of its financial support for child care programs. The HECB and SBCTC must each submit a report on child care at their respective institutions by December 2008 and every two years thereafter. The report must include an update on the status of program design and implementation; the number of students using the program; the identifiable unmet need; and the amount contributed by each university or college administration and student government association for the purposes of child care.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): It is clarified that the child care grants must be used exclusively for the provision of quality child care services for students.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute Bill: PRO: This is a benefit for students. Students are making significant contributions and are just asking for a state match. Access to child care is the third worst barrier to higher education. Over 1,500 students are on waiting lists at Washington four-year institutions. The bill provides an incentive for students to contribute. Graduate students should not have to chose between dropping out to support their families and completing their studies.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Roberts, prime sponsor; Bryce McKibben, Andrew McNeely, Washington Student Lobby; Erin Brown, Madeline Thompson, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Evette Jasper, U.A.W. Local 4121.