| HB 1723-S2 - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Establishes the early start program to provide a continuum of high quality and accountable early learning opportunities for parents and children. |
Allows schools administering the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills to use up to three school days at the beginning of the school year to meet with parents and families. |
Requires the legislature, if money is appropriated, to fund the expansion in the Washington state preschool program. |
Requires state preschool programs receiving state funds to enroll in the early achievers program and maintain a minimum score level. |
Requires working connections child care providers, if money is appropriated, to receive a five percent increase in the subsidy rate for enrolling in level 2 in the early achievers programs. |
Changes the duties of the department of early learning with regard to the Washington state preschool program, working connections child care, early achievers, home visiting services, and subsidy rates. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON 2SHB 1723 |
| May 21, 2013 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning, herewith, without my approval as to Section 4, Second Substitute House Bill 1723 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to expanding and streamlining early learning services and programs" |
| Section 4 creates a technical working group to review child care and preschool funding sources, eligibility requirements, and system design. A related task force is established in Second Substitute Senate Bill 5595, which involves broader stakeholder participation and a larger scope of the analysis. I am therefore vetoing this section to avoid duplicating efforts that will likely achieve similar results. |
| I will direct both the Department of Early Learning and Department of Social and Health Services to collaborate with the appropriate legislative committees in developing options to further integrate child care services toward a system that is coordinated, complementary, and user-friendly to parents. |
| With the exception of Section 4, Second Substitute House Bill 1723 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Jay Inslee |
| Governor |