SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2816

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 23, 2018

Title: An act relating to transferring all aspects of working connections child care and seasonal child care service delivery to the department of children, youth, and families, based on the recommendations required to be reported to the legislature pursuant to section 103, chapter 6, Laws of 2017 3rd sp. sess.

Brief Description: Transferring the working connections and seasonal child care programs to the department of children, youth, and families.

Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Dent, Kagi, Muri and Appleton.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/19/18, 95-0.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/22/18, 2/23/18 [DP-WM, w/oRec].

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Billig, Hawkins, Hunt, Mullet, Pedersen and Rivers.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senator Padden.

Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)

Background: DCYF. In 2017, the Legislature passed 2E2SHB 1661, which created DCYF. On July 1, 2018, child welfare programs from the Children's Administration within DSHS and early learning programs from the Department of Early Learning (DEL) will move to DCYF. DEL's programs include WCCC and Seasonal Child Care.

Currently, DEL sets childcare subsidy policy for WCCC and Seasonal Child Care, and the Economic Services Administration within DSHS administers these programs. 2E2SHB 1661 required DCYF to submit a report by December 1, 2017, on how to incorporate the staff responsible for determining eligibility for WCCC into DCYF. The report had to outline a plan for transferring child care eligibility staff, the treatment of shared client data, information technology systems, phone systems, staff training, federal cost allocation, and service delivery. This report had to include recommendations for effectively integrating WCCC eligibility into DCYF by July 1, 2019.

WCCC. This federally and state-funded program offers subsidies to childcare providers serving families with an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level—$49,200 for a family of four. The state pays part of the cost of childcare when a parent is employed, self-employed, or meets the requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or WorkFirst programs. The family is responsible for making a copayment to the child care provider based on the family's countable income.

Seasonal Child Care. This federally and state-funded program pays child care subsidies to eligible seasonally employed agricultural families. Families qualify for seasonal child care when they live in Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Okanagon, Skagit, Walla Walla, Whatcom, or Yakima counties; are employed in agricultural work; have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level; and meet other eligibility requirements. The family is responsible for making a copayment to the child care provider based on the family's countable income.

Summary of Bill: All powers, duties, and functions of DSHS pertaining to WCCC and Seasonal Child Care are transferred to DCYF on July 1, 2019. The stated intent is to follow the recommendations of the report required by 2E2SHB 1661. References to DSHS are changed to DCYF.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2019.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: It is important to bring all of WCCC under one roof. It will be better for customers and more efficient.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Tana Senn, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.