ESB 5617 -
By Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services
ADOPTED 04/08/2009
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1 RCW 43.215.090 and 2007 c 394 s 3 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) The early learning advisory council is established to advise
the department on statewide early learning ((community needs and
progress)) issues leading to the building of a comprehensive system of
quality early learning programs and services for Washington's children
and families by aligning resources, establishing key performance
measures, and ensuring children are ready for school.
(2) The council shall work in conjunction with the department to
develop a statewide early learning plan that ((crosses systems and
sectors to promote)) guides the department in promoting alignment of
private and public sector actions, objectives, and resources, and ((to
ensure)) ensuring school readiness. Beginning August 1, 2009, the plan
shall be submitted via electronic file annually to the appropriate
committees of the legislature.
(3) The council shall include diverse, statewide representation
from public, nonprofit, and for-profit entities. Its membership shall
reflect regional, racial, and cultural diversity to adequately
represent the needs of all children and families in the state.
(4) Council members shall serve two-year terms. However, to
stagger the terms of the council, the initial appointments for twelve
of the members shall be for one year. Once the initial one-year to
two-year terms expire, all subsequent terms shall be for two years,
with the terms expiring on June 30th of the applicable year. The terms
shall be staggered in such a way that, where possible, the terms of
members representing a specific group do not expire simultaneously. If
an appointed member of the council is unable to attend three
consecutive council meetings, a replacement representative shall be
appointed to serve the remainder of the term of the initial appointee.
(5) The council shall consist of not more than twenty-five members,
as follows:
(a) The governor shall appoint at least one representative from
each of the following: The department, the office of financial
management, the department of social and health services, the
department of health, the higher education coordinating board, the
workforce training and education coordinating board, and the state
board for community and technical colleges;
(b) One representative from the office of the superintendent of
public instruction, to be appointed by the superintendent of public
instruction;
(c) The governor shall appoint at least seven leaders in early
childhood education, with at least one representative with experience
or expertise in each of the following areas: Children with
disabilities, the K-12 system, family day care providers, and child
care centers;
(d) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each
caucus, and two members of the senate, one from each caucus, to be
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the
president of the senate, respectively;
(e) Two parents, one of whom serves on the department's parent
advisory council, to be appointed by the governor;
(f) Two representatives of the private-public partnership created
in RCW 43.215.070, to be appointed by the partnership board;
(g) One representative designated by sovereign tribal governments;
and
(h) One representative from the Washington federation of
independent schools.
(6) The council shall be cochaired by one representative of a state
agency and one nongovernmental member, to be elected by the council for
two-year terms.
(7) Each member of the board shall be compensated in accordance
with RCW 43.03.240 and reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in
carrying out the duties of the board in accordance with RCW 43.03.050
and 43.03.060.
(8) The department shall provide staff support to the council."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Preserves the elements of underlying bill amending the purpose of the ELAC and requiring annual reporting to the Legislature. Removes all the provisions altering the membership of the ELAC except the provision adding a representative from the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Adds a provision requiring appointment of a replacement for a council member who is unable to attend three consecutive council meetings.