SB 6730

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6730

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Higher Education, January 30, 2008

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

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6730 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Shin, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Schoesler and Sheldon.

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 are made available, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education requiring the 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.

All of the public baccalaureate institutions have received funds since the program began. The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) awarded grants totaling $165,000 during the 2007-09 biennium. Washington State University, University of Washington, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College submitted proposals and received allocations. Each institution used the grants in various ways, but in general, funds were used to maintain affordability, add capacity by hiring additional staff and/or providing training to current staff, as well as expanding program availability to different populations or during different hours.

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

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The HECB and the SBCTC award child care grants. Grants must be proportionately distributed based on the financial support for child care received by the student government associations. Each institution's student government association and college or university administration must contribute financial support equal to or greater than the child care grant received. A student government association or its equivalent may solicit funds from private organizations, as part of its financial support for child care programs. The guidelines for submitting grant proposals must be consistent with increasing access to and alternatives for quality child care for students, as well as creating partnerships between the institutions and their foundations.

The HECB and the SBCTC must each submit two reports on child care at four-year institutions: (1) by December 1, 2008, reports on the need for child care; the extent to which child care is a barrier to completion of education; an inventory of existing child care centers and the services provided; the amount contributed by each university or college administration and student government association for the purposes of child care; and (2) by December 15, 2009 and every two years thereafter, status reports on program design and implementation including expenditures and the number of students receiving services.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): It is clarified that the legislature intends the funds to be divided equally between the four-year institutions and the community and technical colleges.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This bill will help provide better access to affordable educational experiences, especially for non-traditional students. Quality child care is a high priority because it will help students succeed and also help the next generation of college students get off to a good start. These child care centers provide students with practicum experiences. The bill will provide more predictable financial support for child care centers. The current lack of child care not only causes dropouts for college, but also prevents some students from ever entering college. Graduate student employees are often working, attending classes, and raising families, so the availability of affordable child care is important to them.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kilmer, prime sponsor; Jane Vroman, Western Washington University; Chris Reigelsperger, Ashley Elliott, Washington Student Lobby; Patricia Chantrill, Council of Faculty Representatives; Erin Brown, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; David Parsons, UAW 4121.