S-1266               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5659

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Niemi, Smith and Murray

Read first time 2/1/89 and referred to Committee on   Children & Family Services.

AN ACT Relating to child care; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature recognizes that the state employment sector needs an adequate child care system.  An adequate child care system will enable recipients of aid to families with dependent children to gain economic independence.

          The legislature is aware that the low subsidy rate for day care providers hampers the availability and quality of child care.  The legislature intends to consider varied rates for child care depending on the child's age and the area of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The department shall establish a new rate structure for all programs for reimbursed day care, for regular day care, and for reservation day care.  In developing the new rate structure, the department shall:

          (a) Reimburse providers on a child-slot basis;

          (b) Provide child care for high school completion without regard to income;

          (c) Establish maximum income eligibility for employment day care at seventy percent of the state median income adjusted for family size; and

          (d) Establish rates which vary by child age and area of the state and which are at least ninety percent of the prevailing rate in the area.