RCW 43.31.502
*Reviser's note: RCW 43.31.085 was repealed by 1993 c 280 s 81, effective June 30, 1996.
Effective date- 2020 c 357: See note following RCW 43.79.545.
Legislative findings-1989 c 430: "The legislature finds that increasing the availability and affordability of quality child care will enhance the stability of the family and facilitate expanded economic prosperity in the state. The legislature finds that balancing work and family life is a critical concern for employers and employees. The dramatic increase in participation of women in the workforce has resulted in a demand for affordable child care exceeding the supply. The future of the state's workforce depends in part upon the availability of quality affordable child care. There are not enough child care services and facilities to meet the needs of working parents, the costs of care are often beyond the resources of working parents, and facilities are not located conveniently to workplaces and neighborhoods. The prospect for labor shortages resulting from the aging of the population and the importance of the quality of the workforce to the competitiveness of Washington businesses make the availability of quality child care an important concern for the state's businesses.
The legislature further finds that a partnership between business and child care providers can help the market for child care adjust to the needs of businesses and working families and improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, improve recruitment, and improve morale among Washington's labor force. The legislature further finds that private and public partnerships and investments are necessary to increase the supply, affordability, and quality of child care in the state." [ 1989 c 430 s 1.]
Severability-1989 c 430: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1989 c 430 s 12.]