FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6404

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.

C 59 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning background checks for persons providing child care services.

Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Mullet, Fain, Hunt and Kuderer; by request of Department of Early Learning.

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services

House Committee on Appropriations

Background: Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The Legislature passed a bill in 2017 that created the new DCYF. All powers, duties, and functions from the Department of Early Learning will transfer to DCYF on July 1, 2018.

Child Care Background Checks. Any individual who has unsupervised access to children in licensed child care must submit to a fingerprint background check. Fingerprints must be forwarded to the Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal history record check.

DCYF must issue a background check clearance card or certificate if the applicant is qualified for unsupervised access to children in child care. The background check clearance card or certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue. A valid card or certificate must be accepted by a potential employer as proof that the applicant has successfully completed a background check.

Background Check Fees. Persons who must be fingerprinted must pay a fee established by the Washington State Patrol for the criminal history check and a fee to DCYF for the cost of administering the individual-based/portable background check clearance registry.

Family, Friends, and Neighbor Child Care. This type of child care is exempt from licensing if certain requirements are met.

The Working Connections Child Care program is federally and state-funded and offers child care subsidies to 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 child care when a parent is employed, self-employed, or meets the requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or WorkFirst programs.

The state may pay family, friends, and neighbors for caring for children of eligible families. These caregivers are called in-home/relative providers and must meet certain requirements including background checks.

The 2017-19 state operating budget included $408,000 in federal funding to reimburse family, friends, and neighbors for background checks.

Summary: For the purposes of renewing background clearance cards or certificates, all agency licensees holding a license, persons who are employees, and persons who have been previously qualified by DCYF, must submit a new background application to DCYF on a date to be determined. Fee requirements apply to background clearance renewal applications.

Payment requirements for background checks do not apply to persons who:

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

47

0

House

97

0

Effective:

July 1, 2018