BILL REQ. #:  H-1818.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/17/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing implementation of a nonexpiring license for early learning providers; and amending RCW 43.215.260 and 43.215.270.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.215.260 and 2006 c 265 s 307 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Each agency shall make application for a license or ((renewal of)) the continuation of a full license to the department on forms prescribed by the department. Upon receipt of such application, the department shall either grant or deny a license or continuation of a full license within ninety days. A license or continuation shall be granted if the agency meets the minimum requirements set forth in this chapter and the departmental requirements consistent with ((the [this])) this chapter, except that an initial license may be issued as provided in RCW 43.215.280. Full licenses provided for in this chapter shall ((be issued for a period of three years)) continue to remain valid so long as the licensee meets the requirements for a nonexpiring license in subsection (2) of this section. The licensee, however, shall advise the director of any material change in circumstances which might constitute grounds for reclassification of license as to category. The license issued under this chapter is not transferable and applies only to the licensee and the location stated in the application. For licensed family day care homes having an acceptable history of child care, the license may remain in effect for two weeks after a move.
     (2) In order to qualify for a nonexpiring full license, a licensee must meet the following requirements on an annual basis as established from the date of initial licensure:
     (a) Submit the annual licensing fee;
     (b) Submit a declaration to the department indicating the licensee's intent to continue operating a licensed child care program, or the intent to cease operation on a date certain;
     (c) Submit a declaration of compliance with all licensing rules; and
     (d) Submit background check applications on the schedule established by the department.
     (3) A licensee who fails to meet the requirements in subsection (2) of this section for continuation of a full license will cause the license to expire and must submit a new application for licensure under this chapter.
     (4) The department shall establish time frames for monitoring visits of nonexpiring licensees not less than every eighteen months for family day care providers and not less than every twelve months for child day care centers and school-age programs. It is not the intent of the legislature to limit more frequent monitoring as determined by the department. For the purpose of this section, an agency is considered to be in good standing if in the intervening period between monitoring visits that agency does not have any of the following: Valid complaints, a history of noncompliance related to those valid complaints or pending from prior monitoring visits, or other information that when evaluated would result in a finding of noncompliance with this section. The department shall consider whether an agency is in good standing when determining the most appropriate approach and process for monitoring visits, for the purposes of administrative efficiency while protecting children consistent with this chapter.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.215.270 and 2006 c 265 s 308 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If a licensee desires to apply for a renewal of its license, a request for a renewal shall be filed ninety days before the expiration date of the license. If the department has failed to act at the time of the expiration date of the license, the license shall continue in effect until such time as the department acts.
     (2) License renewal under this section does not apply to nonexpiring licenses described in RCW 43.215.260.