SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5682

BYSenators 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 3, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 2, 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 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 state employees at the University of Washington (UW).

The Higher Education Personnel (HEP) Board, in conjunction with UW administrators and representatives of UW employee organizations, is required to identify suitable space for the project.  The agreed-upon space may be in state-owned, state-leased, or UW buildings within the University District.  The HEP Board is also required to work with UW administrators 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 in one or more buildings, the HEP Board must contract with one or more organizations to operate 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

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The University of Washington administration is no longer directly involved in either identifying suitable space for the project or determining fair rental rates for use of suitable day care space, since that space will be off-campus, in non-university, state-owned, state-leased or nearby buildings.  The demonstration project is established for the children of UW civil service employees.  Furthermore, the HEP Board, working in conjunction with representatives of those 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.

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