PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Establishing minimum licensing requirements (MLRs) for child care centers. Repealing all sections in chapter 388-150 WAC and creating chapter 388-295 WAC. The sections of this WAC are being repealed so that it can be reorganized, rewritten in clear rule language and components of each section clarified.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 74.15 RCW, RCW 74.08.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Minimum licensing requirements for child care centers are necessary to protect and promote the health, safety and well being of children in out-of-home care. The intent of moving these rules to chapter 388-295 WAC is to reorganize and clarify minimum licensing requirements to make it easier for child care providers to follow the MLRs.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of Health - Immunization Program; Washington State Patrol (State Fire Marshal); and Division [Department] of Labor and Industries (Minor Work Laws, First Aid and CPR, Bloodborne Pathogens, Electrical). Key personnel have been identified at each agency to work with. Initial draft WAC has been sent to each agency for review and comment to ensure consistency and coordination.
Process for Developing New Rule: All interested parties are invited to review and provide input on draft language. Interested parties can obtain draft material by contacting the identified representative below. Draft materials have already been sent to several key stakeholders in the child care and early learning field including the Child Care Coordinating Committee, the Licensing Subcommittee, the Health and Safety Subcommittee, Child Care Resource and Referral, Healthy Child Care Washington, Child Care Nurse Consultants in all local health jurisdictions and interdisciplinary workgroups including child care providers. Post cards will be sent to each child care center in the state of Washington announcing the proposed change and location on the DCCEL internet site for review and comment.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Susan Biles, Health Policy Program Manager, Division of Child Care and Early Learning, P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98504-5480, phone (360) 413-3134, fax (360) 413-3482, e-mail bilessa@dshs.wa.gov, Street Address: 1009 College Street, Lacey, WA 98503.
July 3, 2002
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit