FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6118

                                  C 213 L 88

BYSenate Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn, Anderson, Fleming, Rinehart, Garrett, Talmadge, Stratton, Deccio and Bauer)

Providing for the establishment of state child care policy.

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Human Services

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Washington provides child care assistance through several agencies, but has no coordinating entity to monitor for efficient use of state resources.  No statutory child care policy has been set by the Legislature to guide the agencies, employers and consumers.

The need to expand and coordinate care systems for the children of workers is a phenomenon of modern labor force demographics similar to the shift in responsibility for care of the elderly.  A majority of mothers now are required to work in the paid labor force instead of in the home.

The labor market is experiencing a severe shortage of available and affordable child care.  The shortage affects all working people with children, at all economic levels.  Experts are expressing serious concern about quality of care issues as well.

Child care programs are overburdened.  The subsidy program is inadequate and needs substantial change, according to all child care experts.  Pending federal legislation will assist states which have adequate safety standards and coordinating committees in place.

SUMMARY:

A state child care policy is created which encourages the participation of families and business in operating and expanding the child care system to meet the needs of the labor market and assist families to gain economic independence.

Although traditional parenting at home is encouraged, the policy promotes the availability and affordability of culturally and developmentally appropriate child care in a variety of settings for families who need to use child care.

A child care coordinating committee is established to provide advisory coordination and communication between state agencies and to qualify for potential federal child care assistance funding.  The coordinating committee shall propose changes to the child care subsidy structure to the Department of Social and Health Services and the Legislature.  The coordinating committee also is required to make recommendations about options for including day care facilities when constructing state buildings.  DSHS will provide staff and support for the coordinating committee to the extent resources are available.

A child care expansion grant fund is created to provide one- time grants for the purpose of starting child care facilities or expanding existing facilities to accommodate special needs children.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    49     0

      House 97   0 (House amended)

      Senate    45     0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:March 23, 1988