State law and federal regulation require fingerprint-based background checks through the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for:
Federal regulation allows prospective child care staff members to begin work on a provisional basis if they are supervised at all times and have completed and received the results of an FBI fingerprint check or a check of the state criminal repository using fingerprints.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Governor proclamation suspended and waived statutes relating to the administrative requirements related to fingerprint-based background checks for child care and foster and adoptive parents to increase the availability of these services. This proclamation has been rescinded.
According to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), effective January 1, 2024, all child care and early learning providers, including those not working directly with children or youth, who were previously allowed to work supervised after submitting their background check application, must complete fingerprints and have a cleared status in the Managed Education and Registry Tool to continue to work at a child care facility. DCYF works with a contractor to conduct the fingerprint process.
Subject to appropriations and to help satisfy background check requirements, DCYF must maintain the capacity to roll, print, or scan fingerprints in at least ten of DCFY's early learning and child welfare offices for the purposes of WSP and FBI fingerprint-based background checks. Office locations must be prioritized based on proximity to existing fingerprinting service capacity, regional demand, and criteria to enhance timely access. Staff support is limited to a ratio of one-quarter full-time equivalent employees per office location.
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This state and country is in a child care crisis. Many families have trouble accessing safe and affordable child care, which is needed for addressing workforce shortage issues in fields like retail and medical. There are a number of child care workforce shortage issues including meeting background check requirements. DCYF is working on improving the speed of the background check process, but another issue is having enough locations for applicants to get fingerprinted. A mobile fingerprinting unit would also be helpful. DCYF should also change the background check process.
PRO: Senator Andy Billig, Prime Sponsor; Crystal Leatherman, Washington Retail Association; Colleen Condon; Susan Brown; Suzie Hanson, Washington Federation of Independent Schools; Malorie Toman, WA State Medical Association.
PRO: Washington has workforce shortages, particularly in non-urban areas.
There is a workforce crisis. Four in five providers are experiencing shortages. Poverty-level wages. Anything to help recruitment and retention is helpful. Child care providers have called for this policy for many years.
Building an affordable and quality child care workforce supports the general workforce. A study indicated that lack of affordable child care ends up costing the United States $122 billion per year. Testifier urges the Legislature to enact this bill to improve the Washington economy and provide for families.
Testifier is a child care center owner who opened a new center recently. There was a lag in servicing their child capacity due to waiting on staff to complete fingerprinting requirements. Some staff have to find appointments on select days at select time, and drive up to 55 miles away. For example, to a city hall that was only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These delays held off service capacity for two weeks.