PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Children's Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-10-104.
Title of Rule: Chapter 388-151 WAC, Minimum licensing requirements for child care centers caring exclusively for school-age children.
Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards of health and safety for school-age children in out-of-home child care.
Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-151-010 through 388-151-500.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.15.020.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.15.020.
Summary: This chapter establishes rules for child care centers caring exclusively for school-age children. These rules were separated from the rules for child care centers that care for children ages one month to twelve years in 1991. This separation allows these rules to be more specific and age-appropriate for school-age care.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Leslie Edwards-Hill, 14th and Jefferson, Olympia, (360) 902-8041; Implementation and Enforcement: Sophia Kouidou-Giles, 14th and Jefferson, Olympia, (360) 902-8038.
Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The proposed changes broaden the qualifications for child care staff. The school-age subcommittee and the advocates supported this change. Other changes make these WACs more age and developmentally appropriate to school-age children. The fee WAC is also now incorporated for streamlining purposes.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See above.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. A cost-benefit analysis showed that there is no additional cost imposed on small businesses due to the proposed changes in the rules. There is no significant economic impact to small businesses as a result of the proposed new rules.
RCW 34.05.328 applies to this rule adoption. The proposal makes significant amendments to a policy or regulatory program. The analysis prepared to comply with RCW 34.05.328 can be obtained by contacting Leslie Edwards-Hill at (360) 902-8041.
Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on October 24, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Kelly Cooper, DSHS Rules Coordinator, by October 17, 2000, phone (360) 664-6094, TTY (360) 664-6178, e-mail myercme@dshs.wa.gov [coopekd@dshs.wa.gov].
Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, DSHS Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 664-6185, by October 24, 2000.
Date of Intended Adoption: No sooner than October 25, 2000.
August 16, 2000
Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 00-19 issue of the Register.