SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2828

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.

Title: An act relating to removing the requirement that the department of social and health services or the department of early learning take appropriate action to establish or enforce support obligations whenever it receives an application for subsidized child care services or working connections child care services.

Brief Description: Removing the requirement that the department of social and health services or the department of early learning take appropriate action to establish or enforce support obligations whenever it receives an application for subsidized child care services or working connections child care services.

Background: Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) is a program for children from low-income households that provides subsidized child care while parents are at work or engaged in WorkFirst participation requirements. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) sets WCCC policy and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) provides WCCC eligibility determinations.

In 2011 the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5921, requiring WCCC applicants and recipients to seek child support enforcement services from the DSHS Division of Child Support as a condition of receiving subsidized child care. However, if the DSHS finds an applicant has good cause to not cooperate, then the applicant is exempt from the child support requirement. The legislation also requires the DSHS or the DEL to take action to establish or enforce child support when it receives an application for subsidized child care. A child care subsidy payment constitutes an authorization for the DSHS to provide support enforcement services.

During the 2012 legislative session, the Legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 6386 removing the requirement that an applicant or recipient must seek child support enforcement services from the DSHS as a condition of receiving child care subsidies.

Summary of Bill: The requirement that the DSHS or the DEL take action to establish or enforce support obligations whenever it receives an application for subsidized child care services or working connections child care services is removed. The language specifying that a payment for subsidized child care constitutes an authorization for the DSHS to provide child support enforcement services is removed.