The bill aims to eliminate child care licensing fees in Washington State by amending existing laws. Specifically, it modifies RCW 43.216.300 to state that the secretary "may not" charge fees for obtaining a child care license, removing previous provisions that allowed for fee waivers based on public health and safety considerations or financial disadvantages to the state. Additionally, the bill deletes the requirement for fees to be based on the department's costs for licensure and inspection, as well as the secretary's authority to establish these fees by rule.

Furthermore, the bill amends RCW 43.216.305 to streamline the licensing process for child care agencies. It maintains the requirement for agencies to apply for a license and outlines the conditions under which a license may be granted or denied. The amendments also clarify the requirements for maintaining a nonexpiring full license, including the submission of declarations of intent and compliance, while removing the obligation to pay an annual licensing fee. Overall, the bill seeks to reduce financial barriers for child care providers and simplify the licensing process.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.216.300, 43.216.305