The bill introduces new provisions for the local licensing and regulation of child care providers in counties with populations under 100,000. It allows these counties to adopt ordinances for the licensing and regulation of child care centers and family home providers, effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2032. The ordinances must address various aspects of child care, including safety, provider qualifications, and the well-being of children. Counties must notify the state department 60 days prior to the enactment of these ordinances, and the department will not regulate these locally licensed providers during the ordinance's effective period. Additionally, the bill mandates that counties report quarterly to the department on their licensing activities.

Furthermore, the bill requires the department to contract a third-party consultant to analyze the local licensing and regulation of child care providers, comparing it to the state licensing scheme and assessing its effectiveness. This analysis must be made available to the legislature by July 1, 2031. The bill also repeals RCW 43.216.695, which pertains to county regulation of family day-care centers, effective July 1, 2025. The new sections added to the law will expire on July 1, 2034.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.216.695