S.J.R. 1

1

CHILD CARE COMMISSION RESOLUTION
2 1999 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Leonard M. Blackham
5 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE URGING THE GOVERNOR TO
6 ESTABLISH A BUSINESS COMMISSION ON CHILD CARE TO IDENTIFY AND ASSESS
7 CHILD CARE NEEDS WITHIN THE STATE AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO
8 MEET THOSE NEEDS, INCLUDING APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL STRATEGIES.
9 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
10 WHEREAS, a child's parents are the child's primary caregiver and promote responsible
11 parenthood and parental choice within the family structure;
12 WHEREAS, approximately 25% of Utah's children are living with a single parent;
13 WHEREAS, the median income of families that have children in Utah is $33,900;
14 WHEREAS, many families pay anywhere from 6% to 26% of their incomes for early care
15 and education for their children;
16 WHEREAS, quality early child care and education is strongly linked to a productive
17 economy and is a vital piece of a community infrastructure;
18 WHEREAS, recent studies have determined that quality early care and education services
19 have a dramatic long-term impact on a child's ability to succeed in school, achieve economically,
20 and avoid the criminal justice system;
21 WHEREAS, outcomes for children and their families in the state can be improved through
22 formal collaboration between private enterprise and public entities;
23 WHEREAS, continued population growth within the state requires careful planning by both
24 the private and public sector and a willingness on both their parts to invest in the child care
25 infrastructure in order to maintain the quality of life and economic vitality Utahan's have come to
26 expect;
27 WHEREAS, the demand for early child care and education programs continues to increase

28 in proportion to the dramatic influx of single and dual-earner families into the Utah workforce;
29 WHEREAS, child care is a business and workforce issue that affects productivity,
30 recruitment, retention, absenteeism, and stress of employees;
31 WHEREAS, business recognizes that quality out of school time programs prevent youth
32 from unsavory experiences and prepare them to take their rightful place as productive employees
33 and citizens;
34 WHEREAS, child care is costly to provide, with donations and foregone wages for staff
35 accounting for more than one-quarter of the full cost of care; and
36 WHEREAS, addressing the issue of quality child care should be a high priority of
37 employers in the business community since employers benefit greatly when their employees'
38 children are in stable, reliable care:
39 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urge the
40 Governor to establish a Business Commission on Child Care to identify and assess child care needs
41 within the state and develop recommendations to meet those needs, including appropriate financial
42 strategies.
43 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourage the Governor to appoint
44 business leaders to the Commission that represent a wide range of private enterprise interests
45 within the state and recognize the impact the total business community could have on child care
46 in Utah.
47 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urge the Governor to charge the
48 Commission with accepting responsibility to help lead a concerted effort to establish child care
49 policies and programs through which children within the state can have rewarding and successful
50 lives.




Legislative Review Note
as of 11-23-98 11:09 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

Committee Note

The Health and Human Services Interim Committee recommended this bill.

Committee Note

The Workforce Services Interim Committee recommended this bill.