HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 605

BYRepresentatives Jacobsen, Belcher, Niemi, Nelson, Appelwick, Allen, Cole and P. King 

Authorizing a study and demonstration project to provide child day care for children of state employees of the University of Washington.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

     Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Allen, Barnes, Basich, Jesernig, Nelson, Silver, Unsoeld, K. Wilson and Wineberry.

Minority Report:     Do not pass.

     Signed by Representatives Heavey, Vice Chair and Prince.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION FEBRUARY 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

National statistics indicate that the proportion of mothers entering the workforce is continuing to grow at record rates. As reported by the Congressional Committee on Education and Labor, today ninety-six percent of fathers and more than sixty percent of mothers work. The fastest growing segment of working women is comprised of women with children under the age of three. Nearly fifty percent of all mothers with children under one year of age are now working outside of the home.  And nearly half of all children in two-parent families have both parents in the workforce.  One of the major concerns faced by these parents is the availability of reliable, affordable, and accessible childcare.

In recognition of this phenomenon, in 1984, the legislature established a day care demonstration project for the children of state employees.  A $90,000 legislative appropriation was used to remodel and prepare a site at 531 East 15th Avenue in Olympia.  The ABC Children's Center, Inc. was awarded the contract to operate the center from startup in January 1986 until January 1988.  Under a lease arrangement with the Department of General Administration, the center will pay $500 per month in rent through December 31, 1990.  The center has limited their enrollment to a maximum of 24 children who range from infancy to five years of age. The charge to participants varies from $260 per month for infants to $205 per month for three, four, and five year olds.  By September, 1986, there were 35 applications on the center's waiting list for infants and toddlers.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL: A self supporting, child care demonstration project for University of Washington civil service employees is established.

The Higher Education Personnel Board will conduct a study to determine the need for and interest in a child care center for University of Washington civil service employees. The board will also determine the number of children which may participate in the project.

With representatives of University of Washington employee organizations, the Higher Education Personnel Board will identify one or more suitable sites for the project in nonuniversity state-owned or state- leased buildings, or in other buildings near the University.  The board will establish a fair rental rate for the sites. If suitable sites are available, the board will contract with one or more organizations to operate demonstration child care centers.

The board, in conjunction with employee organizations, will establish criteria to ensure that efforts are made to grant highest priority for participation to the children of parents with the greatest need.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL: The demonstration project will not operate in buildings owned or leased by the University; project participants will be limited to civil service state employees at the University of Washington; the university will not be a statutory participant in the project; and criteria will be established to ensure that efforts are made to grant highest priority for participation to children of parents with the greatest need.

Appropriation:  $75,000 is appropriated to the Higher Education Personnel Board to conduct the needs assessment and for project start-up costs.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Dorothy Gerard, Higher Education Personnel Board; Susan Johnson, Service Employees International Union; Pat Thibaudeau, Washington Women United; Bob Edie, University of Washington and Robert Ball, Washington Nurses Association.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     Child care available at or near an employee's work site is a top priority of groups such as Washington Women United, the Registered Nurses Association and the Service Employees International Union.  Child care is priority number three after salary increases and career advancement opportunities for the 3000 members of the Service Employees International Union at the University of Washington.  This kind of service is essential to improving employee morale and productivity.  The University of Washington will be glad to cooperate with the project, but does not have any available space on campus to use as a demonstration site.  The university also questions whether the appropriation will be sufficient, give the high rental rates demanded in areas surrounding the university.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.