August 22, 2006 – Update – CCDAA Opposes SB 697 Kuehl
CCDAA has officially taken an opposed position on SB 697(Kuehl).  This bill, originally a measure unrelated to child care, has been “gutted and amended” without input from the field or public.  This lack of professional input will result in bad public policy for California’s children and families. 

SB 697 is now a bill that would allow unions to organize and represent licensed and license-exempt family child care providers.   Senator Kuehl’s initial bill, SB 1600, was defeated in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  Union advocates are making an end-run on the child care policy committee of the Assembly and moving a bill in the final days of the Legislature.

We believe that critical questions must be addressed relative to state rate-setting, licensing, criminal background clearance, data collection and processing, and minimum personnel standards. Additionally, we are concerned that dealing with family providers as represented “employees” will jeopardize their financial ability to deduct business expenses to the same extent as they are currently, jeopardized their tax exempt status, that private providers will be prevented from being independent contractors, that this will limit the options for employees and families in choosing employment and child care, and that less care will be available for low income children. 

We encourage our members to review SB 697 and, if so inclined, to send emails and letters to the Speaker, President Pro Tem, and the Governor.

SB 697 will be heard on Wednesday, August 22, 2006, we will follow-up with members as we receive more information.