HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1758
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 House Committee On:
Early Learning & Human Services
Title: An act relating to supporting the business of child care.
Brief Description: Concerning the business of child care.
Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Ryu, Kraft, Springer, Kagi, Farrell, Pollet, Griffey, Caldier and Jinkins.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Early Learning & Human Services: 2/7/17, 2/14/17 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & HUMAN SERVICES |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Kagi, Chair; Senn, Vice Chair; Dent, Ranking Minority Member; McDonald, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Frame, Goodman, Griffey, Kilduff, Klippert, Lovick, McCaslin, Muri and Ortiz-Self.
Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).
Background:
The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is responsible for creating a set of core competencies for early care and education professionals and must review and update these competencies every five years. The DEL operates the Managed Education and Registry Information Tool (MERIT), an online portal for early care and education professionals to track training and education experience. State-approved training costs for professionals employed in facilities licensed or certified by the DEL may be reimbursed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) coordinates and directs the state system of public community and technical colleges. Students can earn certificates in Early Childhood Education (ECE) at 29 community colleges in the State of Washington.
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTB) advises the Governor and the Legislature on workforce development policy. The WTB develops and regularly updates a state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education. Local workforce development councils develop local plans for the workforce development system and work with the WTB on implementation and funding strategies.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
Training in Child Care Business Management.
The DEL must contract with a nonprofit entity to develop a community-based training module to train child care providers in managing and sustaining a child care business. The nonprofit entity must provide quality improvement services to participants in the Early Achievers program. The training must be piloted in at least four communities selected by the DEL and be provided by approved trainers listed in the MERIT. The DEL must offer reimbursement for training participants within available funds.
The DEL must work with the SBCTC and the contracted nonprofit entity to review the pilot project to ensure there is not a duplication of services and to develop recommendations regarding delivery of future trainings. Upon completion of the first cohort of trainees in the pilot project and no later than July 1, 2019, the DEL must offer the training module statewide. The training module must be translated into languages other than English, including Spanish and Somali.
The DEL must collaborate with the SBCTC to align and integrate all or parts of the training module with course outcomes for elective ECE classes offered by community and technical colleges. The SBCTC must work with community and technical college ECE programs to incorporate outcomes related to managing and sustaining a child care business into elective courses by the fall quarter of 2020.
Child Care Workforce and Business Development Work Group.
The Child Care Workforce and Business Development Work Group (Work Group) is created through June 30, 2019. The Work Group consists of up to 22 members selected by the DEL in consultation with advocates and stakeholders. Work Group members must represent various stakeholder organizations and experts from the field. The DEL must convene the Work Group and provide staff support.
The Work Group must develop recommendations for the Legislature and the early childhood education industry to address issues of poverty wages, high turnover, and the loss of qualified early learning workforce members. Recommendations must address specified criteria including the career and wage ladder, tax incentives, facility acquisition, and streamlining regulations, among other provisions. The Work Group must submit an interim progress report to the Legislature by June 30, 2018, and submit a final report by December 1, 2018, containing recommendations and an implementation plan.
Early Learning Workforce.
At the next update of the state comprehensive workforce training plan, the DEL must assist the WTB in assessing the need for early learning providers to receive support and training in the management of a child care business. The WTB must ensure that local workforce development councils have plans that emphasize business training for early learning providers. Local workforce councils may use the child care business management and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) training modules developed by the nonprofit entity contracted by the DEL.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill: (1) removes the training module related to ECEAP administration; (2) reduces the Work Group from a maximum of 27 members to a maximum of 22 members and adjusts Work Group representatives; (3) adds the criteria of missing or duplicative skills and trainings for the early learning workforce to the Work Group recommendations; (4) requires that ECE classes incorporating parts or all of the training module be elective courses; (5) requires the DEL to assist the WTB in assessing the need for early learning providers as part of the update to the state comprehensive workforce training plan; and (6) extends the due date for the Work Group interim report from December 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, and the final report from June 30, 2018, to December 1, 2018.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 16, 2017.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This brings business training to child care providers in recognition that they truly are small businesses. In the next few years, there needs to be more than 7,000 new ECEAP slots. Already while expanding ECEAP around the state, it is difficult to put them in every community that needs them because of a lack of providers. This will expand on the work that community colleges and Child Care Aware are already doing with the DEL. The training is all optional, and the community colleges are not required to include it in their curricula. Gaining the skills and knowledge to run a successful child care business benefits children, families, and their employers. This will help expand child care across the state, especially in child care "deserts." A degree in early childhood education pays less than any other degree. This financial dynamic is resulting in a 43 percent turnover rate for child care center providers, undermining high quality care. Stability for the child care workforce is critical to realize the program outcomes set up in the Early Start Act and is essential to high quality care.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Senn, prime sponsor; David Webster, Opportunity Council; Kathy Goebel, State Board of Community and Technical Colleges; Ryan Pricco, Child Care Aware of Washington; Nicole Auringer; Angela Benedict, Children's Village; and Emily Murphy, Children's Alliance.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.