Title: An act relating to unique identifying numbers for agencies providing care for children, expectant mothers, or persons with developmental disabilities.

Brief Description: Requiring unique identifying numbers for agencies providing care for children, expectant mothers, or persons with developmental disabilities.

Sponsors: Senators Mulliken, Hargrove and Stevens.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/24/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: State law requires that any agency providing child care or child placing services must be licensed. This includes child care, foster care, and adoption agencies. The Department of Social and Health Services is responsible for licensing functions which are administered through the Division of Child Care and Early Learning (DCCEL). Licenses issued are valid for 3 years.

The minimum requirements for licensing set by DCCEL address issues such as size of the facility, competency of the agency or individual responsible for care, background checks, capacity, safety, financial compliance, and record maintenance.

The current licensing application form contains space for the following identifying information: the applicant's name, social security number, or employer identification number.

Summary of Bill: DCCEL will ensure that a unique identifying number is issued to each agency licensed. This identifier is to be used by the agency in all its transactions (including payments) with DCCEL and it cannot be the agency's social security number.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

CONCERNS: Although creating a common client identifier is possible, whatever cost this would entail is not currently included in the budget.

Who Testified: CONCERNS: Rachel Langen, Dept. of Social & Health Services (DSHS), Division of Child Care & Early Learning; Mike Tornquist, DSHS, Children's Administration; Laurie Lippold, Children's Home Society.