FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1133

                                  C 381 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Wineberry, Cantwell, Brough, Kremen, Schoon, Hine, Holland, Rasmussen, Miller, Ebersole, Doty, Locke, Winsley, H. Sommers, Anderson, Wang, Valle, Rust, R. King, Bristow, Sprenkle, Leonard, Vekich, Prentice, Beck, K. Wilson, Rector, Spanel, Cole, Basich, Jones, Braddock, Betrozoff, Nelson, Walker, Tate, Heavey, G. Fisher, Crane,  O'Brien, Walk, Scott, Patrick, Dellwo, Zellinsky, Jesernig, Belcher, R. Fisher, Sayan, Pruitt, Wood, Brekke, Inslee, Fuhrman, Moyer, Todd, H. Myers, Brumsickle, Van Luven, Phillips, May and P. King)

Regarding employer involvement in child care.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Child care is licensed and coordinated by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  In addition to regulating child care providers, DSHS also provides technical assistance and other programs to help child care providers.

In 1987, the Legislature created a Child Care Resources Coordinator in DSHS, and directed the coordinator to help encourage employer-provided assistance for child care.  This legislation expires in June, 1989.

In 1988, the Legislature established a Child Care Coordinating Committee to help coordinate state agencies' efforts regarding child care and to provide recommendations to the Legislature on child care subsidy programs.

The Legislature also established a child care policy in statute in 1988.  The policy encourages the participation of families and businesses in operating and expanding the child care system in the state to meet the needs of the labor market and to assist families.  The policy encourages traditional at-home parenting, but also promotes the availability and affordability of quality child care for families that need child care assistance.

SUMMARY:

The state role in child care is expanded to encourage employer involvement in the provision of child care.

The Child Care Resource Coordinator is reestablished in DSHS to: (1) seek money for operating a child care information and referral system; (2) maintain a state-wide child care referral system; (3) coordinate training and technical assistance to child care providers; (4) assemble information regarding the availability of insurance and funding for providing child care; and (5) staff the child care coordinating committee.

Representatives of the Departments of Labor and Industries, Revenue, and Employment Security are added as members to the Child Care Coordinating Committee in the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  The Departments of Revenue, Labor and Industries, Employment Security, and Trade and Economic Development are to assist DSHS by providing information to employers and businesses through routine agency communications with employers and businesses.

The Child Care Coordinating Committee is to provide advice and assistance to the Child Care Resource Coordinator.  The coordinating committee must also report annually to the Legislature on its reviews and recommendations regarding child care.

A Child Care Partnership is established as a subcommittee of the Child Care Coordinating Committee.  The subcommittee is to :  (1) facilitate partnerships between the public and private sectors to increase the availability, quality, and affordability of child care in the state; (2) propose statutory and administrative changes to increase employer involvement in child care; (3) study liability insurance issues; and (4) advise and assist an employer liaison.

An employer liaison position is created in DSHS and co-located in the Business Assistance Center in the Department of Trade and Economic Development.  This staff position will assist the child care partnership and help businesses provide child care.  The employer liaison position will also help local resource and referral organizations increase their capacity to provide assistance to businesses regarding child care.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 92   0

      Senate    45     1 (Senate amended)

      House             (House refused to concur)

Free Conference Committee

      Senate    46     0

      House 97   0

EFFECTIVE:May 13, 1989