Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Children & Family Services Committee

HB 1898

Brief Description:  Licensing crisis nurseries.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hankins, Skinner, Tokuda, Boldt, Kenney, Dunn, Keiser, Van Luven, McMorris, Delvin, Mitchell and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The bill adds crisis nurseries to the list of agencies that arrange for, or directly provide, out-of-home care to children, expectant mothers or persons with developmental disabilities that are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Hearing Date:  2/21/01

Staff:  Deborah Frazier (786‑7152).

Background: 

Agencies that arrange for, or directly provide, out-of-home care to children, expectant mothers or persons with developmental disabilities are licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  Licensed entities include:  family day care providers and day care centers, group care facilities, crisis residential centers and family foster homes.

Crisis nurseries are a type of respite care for children at risk of abuse and/or neglect.  The nurseries serve children from birth through age 17, and are operated up to 24 hours daily, and up to seven days a week.  Caregivers who need a short break from their children to avoid abuse and/or neglect voluntarily bring the children to the nursery for relief.

Currently, five crisis nurseries are operating in the Tri-Cities, Spokane, Everett, Seattle and Yakima.  Because this type of program is not included specifically in the definition of agencies that provide out-of-home care for children, expectant mothers or persons with developmental disabilities, the crisis nurseries are licensed as child care centers or group care facilities or foster care providers through the use of a number of waivers.

Summary of Bill: 

The bill defines crisis nurseries and adds them to the list of agencies that arrange for, or directly provide, out-of-home care to children, expectant mothers or persons with developmental disabilities that are licensed by the DSHS.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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