FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6013

                                  C 329 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kreidler and Wojahn)

Establishing the office of child care resources.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committe on Human Services

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Although child care is licensed in the state, no central data bank exists to provide information about the availability of child care resources.  The number of women with young children in the workforce is expanding rapidly, creating a need for information about child care.  A need also exists for expansion of child care resources and for assistance to businesses wishing to benefit from adequate child care resources for their employees.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services is required to appoint a child care resource coordinator.  The coordinator is responsible for administration of available grants to local communities for use in information and referral systems and for the creation of a data bank from which local systems can obtain data about licensed child care.

The office of child care resources will create a business outreach program and provide technical assistance to child care providers.  The coordinator will recommend statutory and administrative changes to the Department of Trade and Economic Development and the Legislature to encourage employer-provided assistance for child care.  Active pursuit of information about the availability of child care grants for providers, businesses and state agencies is also required.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    39     9

      House 95   0 (House amended)

      Senate    33     5 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987