Read first time 01/27/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to the early learning advisory council; and amending RCW 43.215.090.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.215.090 and 2007 c 394 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The early learning advisory council is established to advise the department on statewide early learning ((community needs and progress)) issues that would build a comprehensive system of quality early learning programs and services for Washington's children and families by aligning resources, establishing key performance measures, and ensuring children are ready for school.
     (2) The council shall work in conjunction with the department to develop a statewide early learning plan that ((crosses systems and sectors to promote)) guides the department in promoting alignment of private and public sector actions, objectives, and resources, and ((to ensure)) ensuring school readiness. Beginning August 1, 2009, the plan shall be submitted annually to appropriate committees of the legislature.
     (3) The council shall include diverse, statewide representation from public, nonprofit, and for-profit entities. Its membership shall reflect regional, racial, and cultural diversity to adequately represent the needs of all children and families in the state.
     (4) Council members shall serve two-year terms. However, to stagger the terms of the council, the initial appointments for twelve of the members shall be for one year. Once the initial one-year to two-year terms expire, all subsequent terms shall be for two years, with the terms expiring on June 30th of the applicable year. The terms shall be staggered in such a way that, where possible, the terms of members representing a specific group do not expire simultaneously.
     (5) The council shall consist of ((not more than twenty-five)) fifteen voting members, as follows:
     (a) ((The governor shall appoint at least one representative from each of the following)) One representative appointed by the governor from each of the following organizations: The ((department, the)) office of financial management, the department of social and health services, the department of health, the higher education coordinating board, the workforce training and education coordinating board, and the state board for community and technical colleges;
     (b) One representative from the office of the superintendent of public instruction, to be appointed by the superintendent of public instruction;
     (c) ((The governor shall appoint at least seven)) Four leaders in early childhood education, with at least one representative with experience or expertise in each of the following areas: Children with disabilities, the K-12 system, family day care providers, and child care centers, to be appointed by the governor;
     (d) ((Two members of the house of representatives, one from each caucus, and two members of the senate, one from each caucus, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, respectively;
     (e) Two)) One parent((s)), ((one of whom)) who serves on the department's parent advisory council, to be appointed by the governor;
     (((f) Two)) (e) One representative((s)) of the private-public partnership created in RCW 43.215.070, to be appointed by the partnership board;
     (((g))) (f) One representative designated by sovereign tribal governments; and
     (((h))) (g) One representative from the Washington federation of independent schools.
     (6) The council shall consist of not more than twenty-five total members, including the following nonvoting members:
     (a) The director of the department;
     (b) The speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate may each appoint two nonvoting members to the council, one from each of the two largest caucuses;
     (c) The governor may appoint three additional leaders in early childhood education and one additional parent; and
     (d) The board of the private-public partnership created in RCW 43.215.070 may appoint one additional representative.
     (7) The council shall be cochaired by ((one representative of a state agency and one nongovernmental member)) voting members, to be elected by the council for two-year terms.
     (((7))) (8) Each voting member of the board shall be ((compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and)) reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the board in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (((8))) (9) The department shall provide staff support to the council.