The bill addresses the qualifications for child care providers in Washington State, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognizes the significant impact the pandemic had on the child care industry, leading to facility closures and a shortage of providers. To support the workforce, the bill proposes delaying the certification and training requirements for child care providers and introduces a work equivalency option that acknowledges the experience of current providers. This aims to prevent an education cliff that could deter professionals from remaining in the field.

Key amendments to existing law include the implementation of a noncredit-bearing, community-based training pathway for licensed child care providers by July 1, 2024, which will serve as an alternative to traditional credit-bearing pathways. The training must be accessible in multiple languages, culturally relevant, and available online, with a maximum cost of $250 per person. Additionally, the bill extends the compliance deadline for licensing rules until at least August 1, 2033, allowing providers to demonstrate competency through work experience instead of formal education. The legislation also stipulates that annual in-service training will not be required for those demonstrating work experience-based competency.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.216.755