HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1659

BYRepresentatives Wineberry, Brekke, Hine, Wang, Scott, Moyer, Holm, Leonard, P. King, Winsley, Anderson, Crane and Unsoeld

Establishing a task force to study and make recommendations to the legislature on child care licensing and registration.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Brekke, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Anderson, Leonard, Moyer, H. Sommers, Sutherland and Winsley.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Padden.

House Staff:John B. Welsh, Jr.  (786-7133)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Currently, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) licenses day care centers and family day care homes.  With an increase in mothers with young children entering the work force, there may be an insufficient number of licensed day care centers. The DSHS may have insufficient resources to adequately license, monitor and train child care providers.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  There is a legislative finding that fifty percent of women in the work force have children under 6 years, and that will rise to fifty-seven percent in 1990.  The intent of the legislation in providing for a study on day care licensing is to protect child safety, encourage new child care facilities, as well as encourage the development of full educational, emotional and social potential of children in day care.

Currently, the Department of Social and Health Services licenses day care centers and family day care homes.  The department is required to convene a subcommittee of the Children's Services Advisory Committee to reexamine and make recommendations to the legislature on the desirability of assessing civil fines for violations of rules governing child care licensing; exempting from licensure non-advertising providers caring for not more than one family and accepting no public subsidies; implementing a risk assessment approach to licensing; and increasing the supply of licensing staff.  The study is also to include the feasibility of training day care providers; child development certification for staff and measures needed for expanding day care center sites.

The subcommittee is to be composed of representation from the Department of Social & Health Services, the Department of Community Development, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, day care providers, parents, childhood education, private enterprise, the legislature, and the public.  A report to the legislature is due by December 1, 1988.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  A subcommittee of an existing statutory committee is required to do the study, in lieu of a new task force.  The study no longer includes the issue of licensure/registration, but encompasses assessment of civil fines and licensure exemptions.

Appropriation:    $50,000 from the general fund to the department of social and health services.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 28, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Karen Tvedt, Department of Social and Health Services; Selena Chow, City of Seattle; Pat Thibaudeau, Washington Women United; Margie Reeves, Washington Association for the Education of Young Children; and Lonnie Johns-Brown, Washington State National Organization of Women.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    There is a growing need for quality child care for parents entering the workforce, who wouldn't be able to work without it.  There is a need to assess the needs of child care centers and providers for improving competency of staff, and for protecting children from abuse.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.