BILL REQ. #:  H-4985.2 

Read first time 01/30/08.   Referred to Committee on Capital Budget.

     AN ACT Relating to capital grants for child care facilities; and adding a new section to chapter 43.215 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.215 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department of early learning, in consultation with the department of community, trade, and economic development shall establish a competitive process to solicit proposals for and prioritize projects that assist nonprofit organizations in acquiring, constructing, or rehabilitating facilities, including portable structures, used for the delivery of child care services.
     (2) The department of community, trade, and economic development shall conduct a statewide solicitation of project applications from local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other entities, as determined by the department of early learning. The department of community, trade, and economic development shall evaluate and rank applications in consultation with the department of early learning. The evaluation and ranking process shall include an examination of existing assets that applicants may apply to projects. Priority consideration shall be given to nonprofit organizations committed to serving the following populations: (a) Children served by programs under chapter 72.40 RCW; (b) sick children; (c) children whose care is being subsidized by the department of social and health services; (d) children who are assisted by the early childhood education and assistance program; and (e) children who are part of the head start program. Grant assistance under this section shall not exceed fifty percent of the total cost of the project and the maximum amount for each grant must not exceed five hundred thousand dollars. The nonstate portion of the total project cost may include cash, the value of real property when acquired solely for the purpose of the project, and in-kind contributions.
     (3) The department of community, trade, and economic development shall develop and manage appropriate contracts with the grantees; monitor project expenditures and grantee performance; report project and contract information to the department of early learning; and exercise due diligence and other contract management responsibilities as required.
     (4) In contracts for grants authorized under this section, the department of community, trade, and economic development shall include provisions that require that capital improvements shall be held by the grantee for a specified period of time appropriate to the amount of the grant and that facilities shall be used for the express purpose of the grant. If the grantee is found to be out of compliance with provisions of the contract, the grantee shall repay to the state general fund the principal amount of the grant plus interest calculated at the rate of interest on state of Washington general obligation bonds issued most closely to the date of authorization of the grant.