SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5682
BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Rinehart, McDermott, Moore, Williams, Gaspard, Talmadge, Nelson, Lee, Bailey, Johnson and Kiskaddon)
Authorizing a study and demonstration project to provide child day care for children of state employees at the University of Washington.
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1987
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5682 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Patterson, Smitherman, Warnke.
Senate Staff:Judy McNickle (786-7423)
February 20, 1987
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1987
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5682 as recommended by Committee on Education be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Fleming, Kreidler, Moore, Rinehart, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.
Senate Staff:Fred Romero (786-7715)
March 18, 1987
AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 17, 1987
BACKGROUND:
In 1984 the Legislature established a child day care demonstration project for children of state employees. As a result, the Department of Personnel (DOP) conducted a study to determine the need for an interest in day care facilities, and the Department of General Administration (GA) identified suitable space in a state-owned building at 531 East 15th Avenue in Olympia.
In 1985 the Legislature appropriated $90,000 to remodel that space and GA worked out a $500 monthly rental fee with ABC Children's Center, Inc. (ABC) to operate the day care center from January, 1986 to January, 1988. Licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services, the Center provides care for 24 children who range in age from infancy to five years old. Fee rates range from $205 per month for children three to five years old, $235 for toddlers and $260 for infants. The Center currently has a waiting list of 35 applicants. DOP has asked the Legislature to continue that pilot project and to appropriate $100,000 to expand the facility so it can accommodate a total of 50 to 60 children.
Employee organizations at the University of Washington have requested a similar day care demonstration project on or near their campus.
SUMMARY:
The Legislature recognizes the provision of nearby or on-site child day care for working parents as a worthwhile pursuit and declares its intent to establish a self-supporting child care demonstration project for civil service state employees of the University of Washington (UW).
The Higher Education Personnel (HEP) Board, in conjunction with representatives of UW civil service employee organizations, is required to identify suitable space for the project. The agreed-upon space may be in nonuniversity state-owned, state-leased, or nearby buildings within the University District. The HEP Board also is required to establish a fair rental rate for use of such space. In addition, the HEP Board must determine the need for and interest in the project and then determine the number of children eligible to participate. If suitable space is available, the HEP Board must contract with one or more organizations to operate the project. The HEP Board, working in conjunction with representatives of employees' organizations, is required to develop criteria which ensure that children of parents with greatest need are granted highest priority for participation in the project.
An appropriation of $75,000 is made to the HEP Board for conducting a needs assessment and implementing the project.
Appropriation: $75,000 to the HEP Board
Fiscal Note: none requested
Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION: Bob Edie, University of Washington; Susan Johnson, Service Employees International Union; Dorothy Gerard, Higher Education Personnel Board
Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS: Susan Johnson, Service Employees International Union