BILL REQ. #:  H-3609.1 

Read first time 01/27/14.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Human Services.

     AN ACT Relating to safe sleep practices in child care settings; adding a new section to chapter 43.215 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature understands the majority of child fatalities occurring in licensed child care settings are the result of sudden unexpected infant death. The legislature recognizes that maintaining safe sleep practices has the potential to reduce the risk of child fatalities linked to sudden unexpected infant death. The legislature finds that an essential responsibility of a child care provider is to protect the health and safety of children in the provider's care. The legislature finds that clear policies on safe sleep practices can prevent child fatalities. The legislature, therefore, intends to clarify the expectations of child care providers by establishing concrete consequences for not following safe sleep practice rules.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.215 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall provide information on safe sleep practices as outlined by the American academy of pediatrics to applicants for child care licensure. When disseminating safe sleep practice information, the department shall take into account the linguistic needs of licensees.
     (2) A department licensor shall assess for safe sleep practices during all monitoring visits.
     (3) The first time a provider is found in violation of safe sleep practices a department licensor must complete a compliance agreement with the child care provider. The department licensor must advise the child care provider that failure to comply with safe sleep practices will lead to license revocation.
     (4) The second time a child care provider is found in violation of safe sleep practices the department shall revoke the child care provider's license.