Bill on foster, child care licensing passes

Two local legislators shared discontent with a bill in Olympia regarding the licensing responsibilities of the state Department of Children, Youth and Families, which passed the Senate in a 29-18 vote during a virtual floor debate Thursday.

Senate Bill 5151 would make modifications to child care and foster care licensing, according to the bill’s text. One of the modifications entails issuing a specific license to a relative or “suitable person” looking to care for a child under the DCYF’s custody.

SB 5151 would also solidify the DCYF’s nature-based child care program, according to the bill’s text. The program stemmed from a pilot project the DCYF established in 2017 and will end June 30.

Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, said during the virtual floor debate SB 5151 would also eliminate licensing fees for child care providers until 2023. Wilson is the bill’s primary sponsor.

Eliminating the licensing fees will provide some relief to child care providers, Wilson said, as many have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most individuals working in child care are not making a livable wage to start with.

The child care industry “was in crisis before the pandemic, and we know now, more than ever before, it continues to be in crisis,” Wilson said. “In order to have (an) economic recovery, we need to support the providers any way that we can.”

Sen. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee, voted against SB 5151. Hawkins said during the virtual floor debate the bill is a significant piece of policy beyond nature-based early learning, which is what he thought the bill was primarily about when it was introduced.

“My antennas are probably going to be up a little bit more when it comes to some of the legislation that (the DCYF is) backing,” Hawkins said.

Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, also voted against SB 5151. Warnick said during the virtual floor debate she acknowledges the intent and need of the bill, but she would have supported it if the proposed amendments were adopted.

Hawkins’ amendment, which would remove one of the bill’s portions allowing the DCYF to supply a child-specific license to a relative or “suitable person,” was not adopted. Hawkins said removing this portion would be best so it can be its own piece of legislation.

“They kind of threw the whole kitchen sink, including this particular significant piece of policy, into this bill,” Hawkins said.

Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, said during the virtual floor debate Hawkins’ amendment would ensure balance and oversight, which is missing in the bill as it currently stands.

“It’s entirely too much authority for an agency without oversight,” Short said.

Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, said during the virtual floor debate the foster care system does not have enough placements for children. Leaving this portion in the bill will ensure care and a sense of security for them.

“We can’t get enough foster parents, but we can get grandparents, aunts and uncles who are willing, on a case-by-case situation, to go through a process,” Saldaña said.

During the morning session, the Senate also approved SB 5068 (in a 46-0 vote), SB 5331 (47-0), SB 5035 (27-19), SB 5327 (48-0) and SB 5119 (48-0). Bills passed in the Senate will move to the respective House committees.