BILL NUMBER: AB 2346 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 24, 2008
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Swanson
FEBRUARY 21, 2008
An act to amend Section 4560 of the Government Code, relating to
child care.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2346, as amended, Swanson. Child care: state employees.
Existing law requires space for state employee child care
facilities to be provided when the state constructs, renovates, or
acquires buildings that can accommodate 700 or more state employees.
The Department of General Services and the Child Development Programs
Advisory Committee are required to conduct a review of employees
slated to occupy the new or renovated building to determine if there
is sufficient need for child care services. The use of the child care
facility is subject to specified terms and conditions, including the
payment of rent, as determined by the department.
This bill would delete the Child Development Programs
Advisory Committee from this requirement. The bill would
provide that rental terms of the any
child care facility at the Elihu M. Harris State Office Building
would authorize the Director of General Services to offer, as
specified, a full rent subsidy or charge nothing for the use of the
child care facility.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 4560 of the Government Code is amended to read:
4560. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that there is a
substantial need to provide adequate child care facilities for state
employees.
(b) When the state constructs, acquires, or receives as a gift any
office building that can accommodate 700 or more state employees, or
when additions, alterations, or repairs are made to any existing
state-owned office building that can accommodate 700 or more state
employees, and the additions, alterations, or repairs both change and
affect the use of 25 percent of the net square feet area of the
building and include the addition to, alteration of, or repair of the
first floor, adequate space shall be designated within the building
to meet the child care needs of those employees, if a review of those
employees slated to occupy the new or renovated building shows
sufficient need for child care services for 30 or more children. The
review shall be conducted by the Department of General Services
and the Child Development Programs Advisory Committee established
pursuant to Section 8286 of the Education Code .
(c) The Director of General Services may secure space in any
adequate facility for the same purposes if funds for the offsite
facilities are made available and the director determines that any of
the following conditions exist:
(1) All other physical requirements controlling the development of
the child care facilities within the office building cannot be
utilized.
(2) It is more cost-efficient for the state to provide for
equivalent child care facilities within a reasonable distance of the
place of employment.
(3) Locating the child care center within a reasonable distance
offsite would provide an enhanced facility for the children or would
mitigate security concerns.
(d) Existing state office buildings, at the discretion of the
Director of General Services, may be retrofitted to accommodate a
child care facility. State funds required for the retrofitting shall
be subject to regular budgetary procedures and approvals.
(e) Space designed within a state-owned office building for the
child care facility shall comply with the prevailing local and state
safety building codes for child care facilities.
(f) The indoor area shall not exceed 2,100 square feet, nor be
less than that required to accommodate 30 children, excluding space
for restrooms, kitchen facilities, storage areas, and teacher
offices. Outdoor play area space shall correspond with the indoor
play area as described in Title 22 of the California Code of
Regulations.
(g) Utilization of the space shall be subject to terms and
conditions set forth by the Director of General Services. The terms
shall include agreement on payment of rent or state assumption of
rent, proof of financial responsibility, and maintenance of space.
The space shall be made available to employees who wish to establish
child care facilities at a rate to be established by the Director of
General Services based upon the actual cost to the state, the average
cost of state-owned space in the area, or the statewide average cost
of state-owned space, whichever is less. If, however, the director
determines that a lower rent must be charged to ensure the viability
of a child care facility or the employee-occupants request a full
rent subsidy, the director may charge a lower rate or provide the
space at no cost.
(h) (1) The department or departments occupying the building
shall notify the employee-occupants in writing of the availability of
space to be used for a child care facility no earlier than 180 days
prior to the projected date of occupancy of a new building or space
provided as the result of additions, alterations, or repairs to an
existing state-owned building, and the additions, alterations, or
repairs that both change and affect the use of 25 percent of the net
square feet area of the building and include the addition to,
alteration of, or repair of the first floor. If, within 30 days after
full occupancy of a new office building or 30 days after the
completion of additions, alterations, or repairs to an existing
state-owned office building, the employee-occupants so desiring have
not filed an application with the Secretary of State as a nonprofit
corporation for the purpose of organizing a child care center,
deposited two months rent in a commercial or savings account, and
entered into a contract with the Department of General Services, the
space may be used for any other purpose, as long as no permanent
alteration of the space occurs. Other purposes may include, but are
not limited to, conference rooms, storage areas, or offices. The
space for child care shall be held for the employee-occupants'
nonprofit corporation only as long as they pay the monthly rent or
have an agreement for a full rent subsidy from the Department of
General Services and meet the terms set forth in the contract. If
rent is charged, payment of rent shall commence 30 days after full
occupancy of a new office building or 30 days after completion of
additions, alterations, or repairs, as specified in this section.
(2) If, at a later date, the employee-occupants file an
application with the Secretary of State as a nonprofit corporation
for the purpose of organizing a child care facility, deposit two
months rent or the equivalent amount if rent is not charged in a
commercial or savings account, and notify the Director of General
Services of those actions, then the space shall be reconverted for
child care purposes within 180 days of the notice.
(i) Children from families in which at least one parent or
guardian is a state employee shall be given priority admission over
other children to the child care facility.
(j) When a child care center within a state-owned office building
has been operative for five years, the Director of General Services
shall assess the child care needs of the state employees using the
center and the office space needs of the building within which the
center is located. If the assessment demonstrates a greater need for
office space than for child care, the Director of General Services
may close the child care center. Ninety days written notice of the
closure shall be given to the director or head teacher of the center.
(k) This section does not apply to buildings that provide care or
24-hour residential care for patients, inmates, or wards of the
state, such as state hospitals and correctional facilities.
(l) Pursuant to the terms and procedures set forth in this
section, the Director of General Services shall grant a full rent
subsidy only to a child care facility housed at the Elihu M. Harris
State Office Building upon the request of the employee-occupants of
the building.