WSR 20-11-001
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
[Filed May 7, 2020, 8:31 a.m., effective May 7, 2020, 8:31 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Require child care closures to be reported to the department via the electronic provider portal (COMPASS) during states of emergency. Reporting must occur within twenty four hours of the closure and include capacity and the ages of children that each child care is licensed to serve.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 110-300-0016A and 110-305-1525A.
Under RCW
34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 20-05 declaring a State of Emergency in all counties in the state of Washington as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19. As of March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization has classified COVID-19 as a pandemic. Electronically reporting closures within twenty four hours of when they occur during states of emergency ensures the department has accurate, up-to-date information of child care capacity throughout the state, which is necessary as the department works to ensure a safe and stable supply of child care services.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: May 7, 2020.
Brenda Villarreal
Rules Coordinator
NEW SECTION
WAC 110-300-0016AState of Emergency—Reporting capacity and closures.
(1) On February 29, 2020, the governor proclaimed a state of emergency in Washington state in response to the first case of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). See Proclamations by the Governor Nos. 20-05, 20-31, and 20-33. The World Health Organization has classified COVID-19 as a pandemic. See Governor's Proclamation No. 20-53. The pandemic spreads easily from person-to-person and may result in serious illness or death. See Governor's No. 20-53.
(2) Washington residents have taken extraordinary action to curtail the spread of COVID-19 while still providing everyday services. Early learning providers have been particularly impacted by this emergency and the department will continue to partner with all licensed providers to ensure a safe and stable supply of early learning services during the pandemic.
(3) As a result of this pandemic, it is necessary that the department have immediate access to accurate, up-to-date information. Accordingly, all providers licensed under this chapter must report to the department the following information:
(a) A voluntary or involuntary closure of the early learning program, if applicable, within 24 hours of such closure; and
(b) A current accounting of vacant slots for each age group the provider is licensed to serve.
(4) Providers must use the electronic provider portal (COMPASS) to report the information required by this section. Reporting by telephone, email, or other methods does not satisfy this reporting requirement.
NEW SECTION
WAC 110-305-1525AState of Emergency—Reporting capacity and closures.
(1) On February 29, 2020, the governor proclaimed a state of emergency in Washington state in response to the first case of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). See Proclamations by the Governor Nos. 20-05, 20-31, and 20-33. The World Health Organization has classified COVID-19 as a pandemic. See Governor's Proclamation No. 20-53. The pandemic spreads easily from person-to-person and may result in serious illness or death. See Governor's No. 20-53.
(2) Washington residents have taken extraordinary action to curtail the spread of COVID-19 while still providing everyday services. Early learning providers have been particularly impacted by this emergency and the department will continue to partner with all licensed providers to ensure a safe and stable supply of early learning services during the pandemic.
(3) As a result of this pandemic, it is necessary that the department have immediate access to accurate, up-to-date information. Accordingly, all providers licensed under this chapter must report to the department the following information:
(a) A voluntary or involuntary closure of the early learning program, if applicable, within 24 hours of such closure; and
(b) A current accounting of vacant slots for each age group the provider is licensed to serve.
(4) Providers must use the electronic provider portal (COMPASS) to report the information required by this section. Reporting by telephone, email, or other methods does not satisfy this reporting requirement.