Administrative Rule Review Report  #AR07-062

Legislative Service Office

6-Nov-07

 

AGENCY:                                 Department of Workforce Services.

 

DATE SUBMITTED:                  October 29, 2007.

 

SUBJECT:                                 Chapter 1, WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.

 

NATURE OF RULES:                     Legislative and procedural.

 

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:         W.S. 14-4-201

 

DETERMINATION OF PROCEDURAL COMPLIANCE BASED UPON INFORMATION

SUBMITTED BY THE AGENCY TO LSO:  Apparently complete to date.

 

Notice of the proposed adoption of new rules was provided by the LSO as required by W.S. 28‑9‑103(d).  No comments have been received to date.

 

SUMMARY OF RULES:  2007 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 156 (HB0095/HEA0103), amended the quality child care program enacted by the 2006 Legislature.  The 2007 legislation requires the Department of Workforce Services to adopt rules and regulations governing a program of educational development incentive grants to owners and staff of child caring facilities.  These rules implement that program under the name "WY Quality Counts" and replace emergency rules adopted August 7, 2007.  The rules:

 

·       Define relevant terms, including the specification of approved degree and training programs, "Child Care Facility," "Continuous Enrollment," "Good Standing," "Mandatory Employment," "Repayment Requirements," "Satisfactory Completion," and "Satisfactory Performance";

·       Specify three categories of acceptable educational programs, including degree programs, apprenticeship programs and certificate programs, for educational developmental scholarships;

·       Identify eligibility criteria for applicants, eligible coursework and continuing participation requirements for each category of educational program;

·       Establish the respective periods for which a grant or scholarship recipient must agree to work at a Wyoming child care facility;

·       Establish grounds for termination of a scholarship or grant and repayment requirements following termination;

·       Define application and reporting requirements for each category of scholarship or grant;

·       Define eligibility, application, reporting and repayment requirements for continuing education grants.

 

 

 

FINDINGS:  The rules appear to be within the scope of statutory authority and legislative intent.

 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  That the rules be placed on the Consent List and be approved

by the Council as submitted by the Agency.

 

 

 

                                                            _______________________

                                                            Gerald W. Laska

                                                            Staff Attorney

 

 

                                                            _______________________

                                                            David K. Gruver

                                                            Assistant Director

GWL/