HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1267

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Human Services & Early Learning

Title: An act relating to eliminating the sabbatical year for three year olds in the early childhood education and assistance program.

Brief Description: Eliminating the sabbatical year for three year olds in the early childhood education and assistance program.

Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Goodman, Goehner, Pollet, Appleton, Ortiz-Self, Stonier, Griffey, Lovick, Callan, Kilduff, Frame, Eslick, Reeves, Doglio, Bergquist, Slatter, Thai and Leavitt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Human Services & Early Learning: 2/5/19, 2/8/19 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Allows a 3 year old who has received Early Head Start or Early Support for Infants and Toddlers services to enroll in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program at any time during the school year.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & EARLY LEARNING

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Senn, Chair; Callan, Vice Chair; Frame, Vice Chair; Dent, Ranking Minority Member; Eslick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; McCaslin, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Corry, Goodman, Kilduff, Lovick and Ortiz-Self.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Klippert.

Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).

Background:

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is the state's voluntary preschool program for 3 and 4 year olds. The ECEAP provides comprehensive services that include education, health and nutrition, and family support for participating children and their families. Children are eligible for the state-supported ECEAP who are eligible for special education due to a disability, are from families with incomes at or below 110 percent of the federal poverty level, or who qualify under rules adopted by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

The DCYF rules require an eligible child to be 3 years old but not yet 5 years old by August 31 of the school year in order to enroll in the ECEAP.

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers.

Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires individual and family intervention services for children from birth to age 3 who have a disability or developmental delay. The DCYF is the lead agency for IDEA Part C and the delivery of early intervention services through the state's Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program.

Early intervention services include:

Early Head Start.

Early Head Start (EHS) programs are federally funded early learning programs that serve pregnant women and infants and toddlers under the age of 3. The EHS programs provide comprehensive support services that can be delivered through child care centers and family home providers, through home visits to the family, or a combination of both.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

A child is categorically eligible for the state-supported ECEAP if he or she has received ESIT services or participated in the EHS program and turns 3 years old at any time during the school year. A child who has received ESIT services or participated in the EHS program may enroll in the ECEAP at any point during the school year and may not be simultaneously enrolled in the ECEAP and either the EHS or ESIT programs.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill: (1) allows certain children who turn 3 years old at any time during the school year to enroll in the ECEAP rather than requiring the child to be at least 30 months old by August 31 of the school year; (2) includes 3-year-old children who participated in an EHS program as eligible to enroll in the ECEAP at any time during the school year; and (3) prohibits a child who has received ESIT services or participated in the EHS program from being simultaneously enrolled in one of these programs and the ECEAP.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on February 11, 2019.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There is a sabbatical year problem for kids who have received ESIT services, turn age 3, and cannot receive the ECEAP until the following year. This is a logistical issue creating a gap for certain children who receive early services and then get dropped from services if they happen to turn age 3 at the "wrong" time of the year. This has been an issue as the ECEAP is being expanded. There are many situations where children are unable to move from EHS programs into the ECEAP. In Headstart a child can move directly from an EHS program into Headstart. These ECEAP children are the most vulnerable and are in need of these services. There should be no gap anywhere for the most vulnerable children and families.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Senn, prime sponsor; Katy Warren, Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Education Assistance Program; and Renee Greenfield, Tacoma College Child Care Center.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.