AN ACT Relating to siting of child care facilities; adding a new section to chapter 35.63 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.63 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.70 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.22 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.32 RCW; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) A majority of women with preschool and school age children in Washington state are working outside of the home and are in need of child care services for their children;

(2) The supply of licensed child care facilities in Washington state is insufficient to meet the growing demand for child care services;

(3) The most convenient location of child care facilities for many working families is near the family's home or workplace.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The purpose of this act is to encourage the dispersion of child care facilities throughout cities and counties in Washington state so that child care services are available at convenient locations to working parents.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout sections 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this act:

(1) "Family day care home" means a person regularly providing care during part of the twenty-four-hour day to six or fewer children in the family abode of the person or persons under whose direct care the children are placed.

(2) "Mini-day care center" means a person or agency providing care during part of the twenty-four-hour day to twelve or fewer children in a facility other than the family abode of the person or persons under whose direct care the children are placed, or for the care of seven through twelve children in the family abode of such person or persons.

(3) "Day care center" means a person or agency that provides care for thirteen or more children during part of the twenty-four-hour day.

(4) "Child care facility" means a family day care home, mini-day care center, and day care center.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 35.63 RCW to read as follows:

Each municipality that does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in zones or areas that are designated for single family or other residential uses, and for the siting of mini-day care centers and day care centers in zones or areas that are designated for residential or commercial uses, shall be subject to a review by the municipality of the need and demand for child care facilities. The review shall be completed by November 30, 1990. A copy of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the review shall be sent to the department of community development by December 31, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 35A.63 RCW to read as follows:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 36.70 RCW to read as follows:

Each county that does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in zones that are designated for single family or other residential uses, and for the siting of mini-day care centers and day care centers in zones that are designated for residential or commercial uses, shall be subject to a review by the county of the need and demand for child care facilities. The review shall be completed by November 30, 1990. A copy of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the review shall be sent to the department of community development by December 31, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 35.22 RCW to read as follows:

If a first class city zones pursuant to its inherent charter authority and not pursuant to chapter 35.63 RCW, then each first class city that does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in zones or areas that are designated for single family or other residential uses, and for the siting of mini-day care centers and day care centers in zones or areas that are designated for residential or commercial uses, shall be subject to a review by the city of the need and demand for child care facilities. The review shall be completed by November 30, 1990. A copy of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the review shall be sent to the department of community development by December 31, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 36.32 RCW to read as follows:

If a county operating under home rule charter zones pursuant to its inherent charter authority and not pursuant to chapter 35.63 RCW, nor chapter 36.70 RCW, and that county does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in zones or areas that are designated for single family or other residential uses, and for the siting of mini-day care centers and day care centers in zones or areas that are designated for residential or commercial uses, the need and demand for child care facilities shall be subject to a review by the county. The review shall be completed by November 30, 1990. A copy of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the review shall be sent to the department of community development by December 31, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The department of community development shall:

(1) Report to the appropriate committees of the legislature the results of the local reviews provided for in sections 4 through 8 of this act by January 31, 1991.

(2) In consultation with the Washington association of county officials, the association of Washington cities, the Washington state family child care association, and the Washington association for the education of young children, develop a model ordinance for the siting of child care facilities. Development of the ordinance shall be completed by June 1, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The sum of four thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the department of community development to carry out the purposes of section 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.