Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Early Learning & Human Services Committee |
HB 1776
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Regarding licensing requirements for child care centers located in publicly owned buildings.
Sponsors: Representatives Frockt, Eddy, Dickerson, Carlyle, Maxwell, Fitzgibbon, Roberts, Pedersen, Hudgins, Ryu, Kenney and Stanford.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/10/11
Staff: Megan Palchak (786-7120).
Background:
The Department of Early (DEL) regulates child care in Washington; the DEL licenses three categories of child care providers: family homes, child care centers, and school-age centers. Separate sets of licensing rules are used to regulate each type of provider. Some features related to each provider type are described below:
Family home child care providers care for children up to 11 years of age in a home setting.
Child care centers provide care for children up to 12 years of age. These centers operate in commercial, privately owned, school, or faith-based facilities.
School-age centers care for children ages 5 through 12. These centers usually operate in a school setting, but can be located in a commercial, privately owned, or faith-based facility.
Note: current law authorizes school boards to establish and maintain preschools and to provide before- and after-school care and vacation care in connection with schools in its district. School boards are authorized to establish regulations governing preschools and before- and after-school care.
As mentioned above, both child care centers and school-age centers may operate in a variety of physical facilities. The DEL's licensing rules operate in accordance with accepted fire, building, and health code standards that apply to any given facility type. These codes may vary by geographic location are determined by various jurisdictions. The DEL has a process in place to waive some licensing requirements in some cases.
Summary of Bill:
The Department of Early Learning is required to establish a unified set of licensing requirements for child care centers operated in publicly owned buildings, such as schools or municipal centers, in which there are existing prekindergarten educational programs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2011.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.