The bill introduces new provisions for the local licensing and regulation of child care providers in Washington State, specifically allowing counties to adopt ordinances for child care centers and family home providers. These ordinances can be enacted no sooner than July 1, 2026, and must address various aspects of child care, including safety, operational plans, and the well-being of children. Counties are required to notify the state department 60 days prior to the effective date of their ordinances, and the department will not regulate these locally licensed providers nor bear civil liability for them. Additionally, counties must report quarterly to the department on their licensing activities, and the department will provide technical assistance as needed.

The bill also mandates 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. This analysis is to be made available to the legislature by October 1, 2030. Furthermore, the bill repeals RCW 43.216.695, which pertains to county regulation of family day-care centers, effective July 1, 2026. The definitions in RCW 43.216.010 are also updated to include new terms related to child care, including provisions for locally licensed providers.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.216.695