BILL REQ. #:  S-2296.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to a report on early learning services for low-income families; creating new sections; and repealing RCW 43.215.125.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall review and compare the state early childhood education and assistance program and the federal head start program. At a minimum, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall provide comparative data on the following:
     (a) Eligibility criteria, funding levels that reflect the amount spent per child per hours of service, delivery methods, service hour configurations, facilities, transportation requirements, performance standards, professional development and training, and technical assistance; and
     (b) Educational outcomes, kindergarten readiness, and processes for ensuring continuous improvement in program quality.
     (2) Beginning with the work completed by the Washington state institute for public policy under chapter 25, Laws of 2003 1st sp. sess., the joint legislative audit and review committee shall evaluate the latest research and information on early childhood development and identify any new innovations that may further improve the quality of state-supported early learning programs, resulting in improved outcomes for low-income children and their families.
     (3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall seek training or technical assistance from the appropriate regional office of federal head start in order to maximize nonstate resources. The joint legislative audit and review committee also shall solicit input from:
     (a) State early childhood education and assistance program providers on Indian reservations and across the state, including providers who operate solely state-supported programs;
     (b) Tribal governments operating head start programs and early head start programs in the state;
     (c) Providers operating migrant and seasonal head start programs in the state; and
     (d) The early learning advisory council.
     (4) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall deliver its final report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by July 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   RCW 43.215.125 (Washington head start program proposal -- Report) and 2008 c 164 s 2 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2009, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.