BILL REQ. #:  S-2848.1 

Read first time 04/14/11.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to copayments for the early childhood education and assistance program; amending RCW 43.215.410 and 43.215.425; adding a new section to chapter 43.215 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.215.410 and 2006 c 265 s 211 are each amended to read as follows:
     The department shall administer a state-supported early childhood education and assistance program to assist eligible children with educational, social, health, nutritional, and cultural development to enhance their opportunity for success in the common school system. Eligible children shall be admitted to approved early childhood programs to the extent that the legislature provides funds, and additional eligible children may be admitted to the extent that grants and contributions from community sources provide sufficient funds for a program equivalent to that supported by state funds. The department shall establish a copayment for each eligible child. All copayments must be deposited into the early childhood education and assistance account established in section 3 of this act for the sole purpose of funding the early childhood education and assistance program.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.215.425 and 1994 c 166 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     The department shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW for the administration of the early childhood program, including but not limited to establishing copayments. Approved early childhood programs shall conduct needs assessments of their service area, identify any targeted groups of children, to include but not be limited to children of seasonal and migrant farmworkers and native American populations living either on or off reservation, and provide to the department a service delivery plan, to the extent practicable, that addresses these targeted populations.
     The department in developing rules for the early childhood program shall consult with the advisory committee, and shall consider such factors as coordination with existing head start and other early childhood programs, the preparation necessary for instructors, qualifications of instructors, adequate space and equipment, and special transportation needs. The rules shall specifically require the early childhood programs to provide for parental involvement in participation with their child's program, in local program policy decisions, in development and revision of service delivery systems, and in parent education and training.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 43.215 RCW to read as follows:
     The early childhood education and assistance account is created in the state treasury. All receipts collected from copayments under RCW 43.215.410 must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used solely for the purposes of the early childhood education and assistance program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2011.