HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2869

Title:  An act relating to children with special needs.

Brief Description:  Providing training and assistance to child care providers serving children with special needs.

Sponsors:  Representatives Tokuda, Clements, Boldt, Regala, Radcliff, D. Schmidt, Lovick, Talcott, Cooper, Edwards, Stensen, O'Brien, Keiser, Constantine, Dickerson, Kenney, Conway, Mitchell, Ogden, Rockefeller, McIntire, Edmonds, Veloria, Santos, Wood, Cody and Kagi.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Meeting Date:February 2, 2000.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Deborah Frazier  (786-7152).

Background:  Children with special needs can be difficult to place and serve in day care settings.  The currently required training for child care providers does not address the complexities of serving children with health and/or behavioral problems.  Because few providers have the training or experience needed to serve these children, parents have difficulties locating appropriate day care.

Summary of Bill:  House Bill 2869 creates three programs to assist child care providers with serving children with special needs. A scholarship program will fund training for child care providers in serving children with special needs.  A technical assistance program will fund specialized consultations.  Local health departments will have a full time nurse to assess the needs of  the child and to provide consultations to providers and parents.

Appropriation:None.

Fiscal Note:None.

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.