The bill aims to establish a Children's Social Equity Land Trust in Washington State to address the critical shortage of affordable child care, particularly in underserved communities. The legislature recognizes that the lack of accessible child care disproportionately affects working-age mothers and contributes to economic disparities. The trust will leverage sustainably managed forested lands to generate revenue, which will be directed towards child care grants, particularly in areas identified as child care deserts. The bill outlines the Department of Natural Resources' authority to acquire forested lands suitable for revenue production and mandates that the revenue generated be used to support child care programs.

Key provisions include the creation of a Child Care Trust Account to manage the funds generated from these lands, with specific allocations for child care grants. The bill also amends existing laws to define "child care desert" and "overburdened communities," ensuring that the grant program prioritizes racial equity and addresses the needs of historically disadvantaged populations. Additionally, it reenacts and amends existing statutes related to the management of state forestlands to facilitate the funding mechanism for the trust. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a sustainable funding source for child care initiatives while promoting social equity in access to child care services.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 79.02.010