Title: An act relating to verification of the identity of persons providing care to children, expectant mothers, and persons with developmental disabilities.

Brief Description: Providing for identity verification for persons providing care to children, expectant mothers, and persons with developmental disabilities.

Sponsors: Senators Mulliken, Hargrove, Stevens and Rasmussen.

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 licensing application form contains space for the applicant's name, social security number, or employer identification number.

Summary of Bill: Applicants for a child care provider license or renewal are required to verify their identity by submitting his or her date of birth, copy of his or her valid picture identification issued by a governmental agency, and a copy of his or her social security card or employer identification number.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2005.

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: We already do this.

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