FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1490

                         C 453 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing for child care.

By Representatives Wineberry, Forner, Shin, Sheldon, King, Karahalios, J. Kohl and Anderson.

House Committee on Human Services

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to organize local child care resource and referral organizations into a statewide system. The statewide child care resource and referral network was created in 1989 and has continued to function since that time. Also under existing law, DSHS established the Office of the Child Care Resources Coordinator. Among other duties, this office has the responsibility of staffing the Child Care Coordinating Committee, coordinating with the child care community, leveraging public and private monies and distributing grants to local child care resource and referral organizations.

Summary:  Legislative intent establishes the importance of constructing partnerships at state and local levels in the provision of quality, affordable child care. It describes the role of the statewide child care resource and referral network in supporting community based programs, fostering statewide strategies and generating public/private partnerships.

The child care resource and referral network is included as part of the child care system. The Office of the Child Care Resources Coordinator is replaced with the Office of Child Care Policy.  Also, the limitation of $25,000 as the maximum grant to be given to resource and referral programs is removed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 47 1 (Senate amended)

House            (House refused to concur)

Senate 46 1 (Senate receded)

Effective:  May 17, 1993